Auld Lang Syne
Mairi’s adventures with Scotland’s most famous song.
WHY DID WE MAKE THIS SHOW?
The impulse to make a show about the song grew out of my ignorance and curiosity.
Auld Lang Syne is known across the world, but growing up, I’m afraid I didn’t much like it. To me, it was just a singalong at the end of the night, a sentimental closing moment.
Then David Francis introduced me to the original five-verse tune in 1991 and we (The Cast) recorded the original tune version on our debut album, ‘The Winnowing’ in 1993.
Lyrics
Should auld (old) acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne (for times past)
For auld lang syne, my jo (friend),
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne
And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp (buy)
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne
We twa hae (two have) run about the braes (hillsides),
And pou’d (pulled) the gowans (daisies) fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony (many) a weary fitt (foot),
Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl’d (two have paddled) in the burn,
Frae (from) morning sun till dine (sundown);
But seas between us braid hae (broad have) roar’d
Sin auld lang syne
And there’s a hand my trusty fiere! (companion)
And gie’s (give me) a hand o’ thine! (yours)
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught (good-will drink)
For auld lang syne!
Kennedy Center Show
In 1999 Dave and I were invited to America. Sean Connery was getting a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at a big ceremony at the Kennedy Center. We were asked to go over to sing Auld Lang Syne for the event.
The night of the ceremony was fabulous! Other performers included Katherine Zeta Jones, Halle Berry and Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker’s husband. Apparently she remembered our performance that night, ten years before, and that’s why she chose our song for her movie.
I got nervous during that performance like I never had before. In the middle of the song I lost all feeling from my knees down. I felt stranded and I lost the words. Even though I knew the song so well, I froze inside. But I kept singing, mouthing the tune and making up the words.
Suddenly, in that moment, a voice came into my head and said, “Feel your feet and fling out your arms.“ I flung out my arms and focussed on my feet. The words came back, thank God! It was a huge moment of learning. Take up space, take the floor and find your voice!
Sex and the City
Cue almost a decade later, the Sangstream choir were invited to sing Auld Lang Syne at the Scots Trad Music Awards. It’s the Scottish folk scene’s big hoolie, full of music and mischief. We put a lot into it. Getting the words right, staying in tune, holding it steady. No small thing.
Later, we found out that this was the version which had been used in the film ‘Sex and the City.’ The whole choir was buzzing. It felt lovely to share that excitement with them.
For me personally, it was a bit overwhelming. The song was suddenly very public. Very exposed. But the timing was a gift. Our daughters were 10 and 12 then, and life was getting expensive. The song brought in support just when we needed it most.
I will always be grateful to Sarah Jessica Parker for making such a life altering choice.
Origins of My Show
The words of the song make the most sense if you picture two old friends catching up in a pub. They’re reminiscing about the good old days, how far they’ve come, what’s been lost, what’s still held.
That led me to think of my childhood friend, Catriona. And to Dave, my husband. Each verse seemed to echo something in my own life. I wanted to express the meaning of the song through personal encounters.
TK Maxx and a Font
One day, while doodling, I started sketching the title, Auld Lang Syne, in an old-looking font I hadn’t seen before. A stone pendulum became the letter A. A wine glass became the Y. The shapes were playful but strong. It felt right.
I also have a ritual. Before each show, I visit TK Maxx. I ask for a sign, something that might serve the piece. That time, I found an hourglass. It held a quiet resonance: the passing of time, the turning of cycles, the infinity of the number 8. It became a key visual in the show.
The Arc and Form
The show unfolds in three braided strands, like a Celtic knot:
- One strand tells the story of the song.
- One follows my friendship with Catriona and David Francis.
- One traces my personal journey with language, memory, and music.
Each strand has its own beginning, middle, and end. Kath Burlinson is the co-creator and director. She helped me see the shape of it, where to start, where to go, how to return.
David Francis wrote the lyrics to the songs ‘Green so Gentle’ and ‘I Can’t Believe’. Kath Burlinson and I wrote the rest of the lyrics and text.
Dave Gray and I created the background music from his studio. Dave has been c0-composer for all my music theatre shows.
Broader Significance
Friendships shift. Some slip away, slowly or suddenly. That happened with Catriona, and I’d always wondered why. When we reconnected, she shared something that helped me understand our distance, and gently, we found each other again. Creating the show gave us that chance. And it was beautiful.
I love the song now! It showed me things I’d forgotten and helped me feel things I hadn’t yet named. Every time I sing it now, I feel that transformation. And I hope my audience feels it too.
For bookings, contact us. For a marketing pack, visit Media & Promoters. For the latest shows visit the Gigs page. The Auld Lang Syne album is available as a download or CD in Mairi’s shop.
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