Auld Langs Syne is one of the worlds best known songs and the beautiful lyrics were written by the Scottish poet Rabbie Burns, as most people are aware.
But one thing most people don't know is that the tune was "borrowed" by Burns from an operata written by William Shield who just happens to be from sunny Gateshead.
Shield was one of the best known composers in his time, this is the story here
A merry Christmas and happy new year from to all from reiverman in the Kingdom of Northumbria.