Auld Lang Syne, my dear
Auld Lang Syne, my dear
The Scotish poet, Robert Burns, penned the popular New Year’s song “Auld Lang Syne” in 1741, and since then it has been sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English speaking country in the world.
“Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long past” or simply, “the good old days”.
Though, in spite of its immense popularity it has been aptly described as the song that nobody knows. In fact, hardly a gathering sings it correctly, without some members of the party butchering the words:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
And days of old long past.
And for old long past, my dear,
For old long past,
We will take a cup of kindness yet,
And surely you will pay for your pint-vessel!
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet,
For old long past.
We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the wild daisies fine;
But we have wandered many a weary foot
Since old long past.
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till noon;
But seas between us broad have roared
And there is a hand, my trusty friend!
And give me a hand of yours!
And we will take a right good-will drink,
As we pause to remember the good old days, and more importantly, to look forward to the coming year and it’s potential, we must also take a moment to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.
Changes are never easy. Sometimes we get comfortable in our routines. But change is necessary for growth. As our next president is so fond of saying, we need “change we can believe in.” For those who think it’s impossible, here are more of his words, “yes we can!”
Among the most popular resolutions we will make will be: to spend more time with family and friends, to become more physically fit, to lose weight, to quit smoking or drinking, to live life to the fullest, to get out of debt, to learn something new, to help others more often or to be more organized.
Whether you choose to take part in traditions of the holiday or join in the chorus at midnight, be safe, be smart and have a Happy New Year!