Auld Lang Syne - guitar tab, notes, chords and lyrics
”Auld Lang Syne” is a traditional melody based on a poem written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, who is famous for many poems associated with songs such as ”Flow Gently, Sweet Afton”. The title ”Auld Lang Syne” is old-fashioned and can be translated in modern English language to ”Old long since”. In English-speaking countries, the song has been associated with New Year festival.
Auld Lang Syne (full accompaniment)
"Auld Lang Syne" for guitar with full accompaniment. Free download in pdf-file and audio.
Auld Lang Syne guitar accompaniment
Auld Lang Syne for flute
"Auld Lang Syne" for flute in the key of C. Free download in pdf-file and audio.
Auld Lang Syne flute
Auld Lang Syne for ukelele
"Auld Lang Syne" for ukelele in the C tuning. Free download in pdf-file and audio.
Auld Lang Syne ukelele
Auld Lang Syne (only melody)
"Auld Lang Syne" standard and tablature notation for guitar.
Tips on how to learn this song
The song is based on a common structure with 16 bars (the first pick-up bar excluded). Notice the ABAB structure of these 16 bars: the first and third parts are similar as well as the second and fourth parts.
The melody is only involving three strings, which makes it rather easy to play and to memorize.
Lyrics and chords
Auld Lang Syne chords in the key of CVerse 1:
Should (C)auld acquaintance (G)be forgot,
and (C)never brought to (F)mind?
Should (C)auld acquaintance (G)be forgot,
and (F)days of auld lang (C)syne?
Chorus:
For (C)auld lang (G)syne, my dear,
for (C)auld lang (F)syne,
we'll (C)take a cup o' (G)kindness yet,
for (F)auld lang (C)syne.
Auld Lang Syne chords in the key of DVerse 1:
Should (D)auld acquaintance (A)be forgot,
and (D)never brought to (G)mind?
Should (D)auld acquaintance (A)be forgot,
and (G)days of auld lang (D)syne?
Chorus:
For (D)auld lang (A)syne, my dear,
for (D)auld lang (G)syne,
we'll (D)take a cup o' (A)kindness yet,
for (G)auld lang (D)syne.
These versions include only the first verse of the song (and the chorus), that include as most four versions in some versions.
In modernized versions, “auld” is translated to “old” in some passage of the lyrics (“Should old acquaintance be forgot” instead of “Should auld acquaintance be forgot”).
The key of the song can be transposed with a capo (based on the chords in the D major version):
- Capo 1: D# / Eb major
- Capo 2: E major
- Capo 3: F major
- Capo 4: F# / Gb major
- Capo 5: G major
Key, time, tuning and tempo
Information about "Auld Lang Syne" considering musical key, time signature, tuning and bpm.

Key
The (tab) version of Auld Lang Syne is played in the key of C.

Time signature
The song is played in 4/4 tempo (counted one, two, three, four for each measure).

Tuning
The song is normally played in standard tuning (EADGBE).

Tempo (BPM)
The tempo in beats per minute is 120 for the presented version.