Edvard Munch, The Sun 1910-1911 (The Oslo University Mural) (image via Wikiart.org)

“Auld lang syne is well known as a song of celebration at the turn of the new year, commemorating the year past. The poem was written by Robert Burns in 1788, and the melody is a traditional Scots tune (Roud 6294). Robert Burns sent a copy of the original song to the British Museum with this comment: “The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man’s singing, is enough to recommend any air.” (Gavin Grieg: “Last Leaves of Traditional Ballads”) Our version employs the melody from a lute setting from the Balcarres lute manuscript, circa 1695.”
lutesongs