Auld Lang Syne (Sherman)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s nearer hands joined dance down the middle (2 bars), ½ turn RH (2 bars) while 2s step up; 1s nearer hands joined dance up to 2nd place (2 bars), 1s ½ turn LH to end on 1st corner diagonal, still holding LH, 1s give RH to 1st corner
9-16 1s dance the Spoke: Balance-in-Line with 1st corners, then with 2nd corners, then with 3rd corners and 4th corners to end 1L between 2s facing down and 1M between 3s facing up
17-24 All circle ½ way to the left; retaining hands all advance into middle, all retire
25-32 All cross RH over LH and set advancing into middle (2 bars). All drop LH and raise RH as they pas-de-basque turning right (2 bars) to face out; All dance out to sides and chase clockwise ½ way to end 1L facing clockwise between 2s at the top and 1M facing clockwise between 3s
33-40 1s dance ½ Fig of 8 (1L gives RSh to 2L, 1M gives RSh to 3M) to end 2nd place own sides. 1s dance RH across (Lady with 2s and Man with 3s)

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Dance Information

It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world, its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight and often to round off an evenings Scottish country dancing.

Auld Lang Syne (literally "old long since") is thought to be the second most commonly sung song in the whole world regardless of country, race or religion, after Happy Birthday.

Often just the first verse, chorus, last verse and chorus is sung, as follows.

Auld Lang Syne Song - Information Video

"Illustration To Robert Burns' Poem Auld Lang Syne By J.M. Wright And Edward Scriven" John Rogers (c. 1808-1888), engraving, c. 1841

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