Easy 𝄞SunsetPiano Arrangement v5
By Scottish poet Robert Burns 1788
Globally Recognized "The Farewell" song, the universal anthem for New Year’s Eve.
By Scottish poet Robert Burns (1788)
Globally Recognized "The Farewell" song, the universal anthem for New Year’s Eve.
Its title translates roughly from Scots as "days gone by" or "for old times' sake."
Easy 𝄞SunsetPiano Arrangement (v5)
1/6/2026 0401
"Auld Lang Syne" is perhaps the most globally recognized "farewell" song, serving as the universal anthem for New Year’s Eve.
Its title translates roughly from Scots as "days gone by" or "for old times' sake."
The Author: The lyrics were transcribed and "remixed" by the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. Burns didn’t claim to write the whole thing; he told the Scots Musical Museum that he took it down from "an old man's singing," refining a fragment of an ancient folk song to preserve it.
The Meaning: The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is literally "Old Long Since." The song is a nostalgic look back at life, friendship, and shared experiences, asking the rhetorical question: Should we forget our old friends just because time has passed?
The Global Tradition: While it began as a Scottish tradition for Hogmanay (the Scottish New Year), it became a global staple largely due to mass media. In the 1920s, bandleader Guy Lombardo began playing it during New Year’s Eve radio and TV broadcasts from New York City, cementing its association with the stroke of midnight.
Beyond New Year's: It is also used at graduations, funerals, and even as a "store closing" song in Japan (where the melody is called "Hotaru no Hikari").
"Auld Lang Syne" is a perfect example of how a simple musical structure can become immortal.
Key: Most traditional piano arrangements are in F Major or G Major. (In F Major, there is one flat: $B\flat$).
Time Signature: It is written in 4/4 time (Common Time), though it usually begins with a pickup note (an anacrusis) on beat 4 of the "zero" measure.
Tempo: It is typically played at a slow, sentimental Adagio or Andante tempo (around 60–80 bpm).
The Pentatonic Melody: One of the most unique aspects of the song is that its melody is pentatonic (it only uses 5 notes of the scale). In the key of F, it uses only F, G, A, C, and D.
Fun Fact: Because it is pentatonic, you can actually play the entire melody of "Auld Lang Syne" using only the black keys of the piano (if you start on $G\flat$ or $E\flat$).
For a classic solo piano feel, the primary chords used are F (I), Bb (IV), and C7 (V7), with a touch of Dm (vi) for that nostalgic minor flavor.
Lyric Segment
Chord Progression (F Major)
(Intro/Pickup)
(C note only)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
F
And never brought to mind?
C7
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
F
And auld lang syne?
Bb — C7 — F
(Chorus)
For auld lang syne, my dear,
F — C7
For auld lang syne,
F — Bb
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
F — Dm
For auld lang syne.
Bb — C7 — F
When playing "Auld Lang Syne," use the sustain (damper) pedal to connect the chords smoothly. Because the song is about memory and longing, a "legato" (connected) style works best.
Would you like me to provide the chords in a different key (like C Major) or suggest a specific piano tutorial for this piece?