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The poem “Auld Lang Syne” was written by Robert Burns in 1788. Throughout the English-speaking world it is used to mark the new year, and is also often sung at other important occasions such as graduations and funerals. The poem calls on those assembled to remember and treasure long-standing friendships. It is possible that Burns based his poem on an earlier one from 1711 written by James Watson, with which it shares some similar text and sentiments. Other earlier poems also used the phrase ‘auld lang syne’.

The tune with which the words is mainly associated these days, is probably not the tune Burns originally intended. This arrangement is of the melody that (it is believed) Burns originally used for his poem. Although some elements of the melody are similar to the more widely sung tune, the melody arranged here has more of a folk-song quality to it. It also has a wider vocal range, making massed singing more of a challenge!

The arrangement was made for Bede Williams and the Pentland Singers (Scotland).

• David Hamilton: Auld Lang Syne - hardcopy score 

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The Auckland Primary Principals’ Association holds an annual music festival and over the years several of my choral works have been included in the event. In early 2010 I was approached by former student Pip Faulknor who, along with two other conductors, was keen to include something specifically about Auckland in their programmes, and asked if I had anything suitable. I suggested something new might be appropriate and a text was devised by Mary Cornish. The text talks of many of the features of Auckland, but is also a call for the people of the area to listen to, and respect, the children of Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland).

David Hamilton

• Hamilton: Listen Tamaki Makaurau; computer-set  Year: 2010 

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This works details the tragic end of Mr Macabre – a fisherman who starts out innocently enough, busily fishing:

Mr Macabre went fishing one day,
Out with his line, in his boat, in the bay.
So busy was he, pulling fish from the deep,
He even forgot to go home to sleep.

Unfortunately as it begins to get dark, a shark appears and bites him almost in half. The “awesomely tough” Mr Macabre is not content to let this small mishap spoil his life, so he proceeds to collect the various bits of his body until he is “almost complete”. Towards the end of the piece he is determined to get back in his boat and go out to catch that shark, in spite of his deformities.

Throughout, the chorus sections act as a commentary of the story contained in the verses, and at one point the choir quietly hums the sailor’s hymn “Eternal Father Strong to Save” behind Mr Macabre.

The text for That’s Macabre was especially written for this piece by New Zealand poet and writer Joy Watson.

That’s Macabre was written for the 40th anniversary of Auckland Boys’ Choir, and is dedicated to the choir and conductor Stuart Weightman.

• Hamilton: That's Macabre!; computer-set  Year: 2010 

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