3 per cent of millennials think Mariah Carey wrote Auld Lang Syne

A new poll has revealed some shocking figures about the traditional New Year's song Auld Lang Syne.

Almost half of 18-24 year olds admitted they don't know a single word while 56 per cent said they had no idea who wrote the song.

What's more, the poll results have led to a warning that Auld Lang Syne is in danger of dying out.

Auld Lang What?

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve many of us will break into song linking arms, following the tradition singing: "Should auld acquaintance be forgot..."

But who actually wrote the song? It's not clear who composed the music, but it is thought Scottish poet Robert Burns penned the original poem which developed into the Scottish folk song - historically sung to mark the end of something.

But in research by Sainsbury's, it was found people sometimes mistake Burn's lyrics for words by The Beatles.

Another 60 per cent thought ABBA lyrics were in the song, and 34% of those polled identified words from Taylor Swift songs. Three per cent believed Mariah Carey originally wrote and sang the song.

However, eight out of ten native Scots knew Robert Burns wrote the originally lyrics.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said:

We want everyone to have a great New Year’s Eve and singing Auld Lang Syne – or ‘Old Land Sign’ as some people thought – is as much a part of our celebrations as a glass of fizz at midnight.

So here are the actual lyrics for Auld Lang Syne:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

CHORUS

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp!

And surely I’ll be mine!

And we’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pou’d the gowans fine;

But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,

Sin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roar’d

Sin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!

And gie’s a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,

For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

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