Auld Lang Syne at Downton Abbey

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

For those who watched the finale on Christmas Day, were you as uncomfortable as I was when Auld Lang Syne was struck up by Mrs Carson. The normal key for this is F major, but this is by no means sacrosanct. This very deep contralto sang it at an ancient pre-HIPP pitch of A = 277.




Later, the orchestra merged in at this very low A major pitch. I'm not sure which came first - the chicken or the egg.


My point is that it sounded very dull indeed, losing much of the (presumably) intended celebratory effect.

[VodkaDilc]

I am sure that Mrs Hughes (sorry, I will never get used to her new name) was far too busy with her household duties to be aware of the usual key for Auld Lang Syne.

I am not Scottish, but assume that 'for the sake of', as heard after the final Prom of each season, is definitely incorrect - in accordance with the version supplied above.

I certainly did not feel uncomfortable - just relieved that Mr Barrow had received his belated recognition.

[Black Swan]

I watched the finale as well and wasn't concerned about the pitch. I am not sure if it was meant to be celebratory or a bit sad. There were many good things that happened in the finale but it was the end of the show. There had been through the entire program that great change was coming and life as the characters knew it was going to change....

[jean]

I didn't notice that, but I was pleased that they didn't sing

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, for the sake of auld lang syne

which one hears all too often, and which is nonsense.

(I'm not sure how I heard this art all as I haven't been watchng DA. Waas it on a trailer or something?)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I didn't notice that, but I was pleased that they didn't sing

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, for the sake of auld lang syne

which one hears all too often, and which is nonsense.

(I'm not sure how I heard this art all as I haven't been watchng DA. Waas it on a trailer or something?)

Well, if we're going to be all HIPP about it:-

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 jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup!
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 fiere!
and gie's a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak' a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS