Auld Lang Syne
Here’s the necessary lyrics for those of us who hope to ring in 2013 with the age-old tradition. The meaning and history of this New Year’s Eve song, traditionally played and sung as midnight strikes, are also fascinating.
Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish poem, thought to be composed by the Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns in 1788. It is sung to the traditional folk tune Roud 6294.
It is well known across the English-speaking world and has long been associated with New Year’s celebrations, commonly played after people watch the ball drop. Auld Lang Syne literally translates to “Old Long Since,” and more roughly it means “long, long ago” or “days gone by.”
Before we start singing and choking back the tears like John Boehnor after a 5 gallon barrel of Merlot (his lunch ration) – here (and this is the David Letterman element in me) are the:
TOP TEN “AULD LANG SYNE” VIDEOS OF 2012
And nowwwwwwwww —- the English-translated version of the Auld Lang Syne lyrics (Scottish to follow):
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.                                                                      CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.                                                                     CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.                                                                      CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.                                                                     CHORUS
Here is the original Scottish version of the Auld Lang Syne lyrics:
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-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 pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.                                                                     CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d i’ 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-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.
*Thanks to The Huffington Post for the above excerpt in 2010.
NOTE: if you throw-up or pass-out during the rendition, it is considered good NYE manners BUT -if you are clean and sober, you are the designated driver anyway so this is not a problem – except the clean-up. You have my sympathy if some have wet themselves. Ewwwwwwww.
To be sure you’re familiar with the song (by now you likely are:) here’s a video of it with lyrics —- ( like you haven’t had enough already, huh?). This,….. so you can work on your act —- if you are able to stay awake long enough to ring in the New Year.
Since I gave-up drinking, drugging and drama, there’s no chance for me without my props, (using several Starbucks Gift Certificates) each with at least 5 sugars.
auld Lang Syne: Video with lyrics
Okay,………..now try it with a Scottish Brogue and pretend your Commander Scott on the USS Enterprise. Here’s a clip from the new Star Treck Generations for inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAKiWvjfCiQ
The rough translation is Days Gone By. So they have this eve, the last of 2012, a year in which there were far to many “numerology-gasms ” had i.e.,
01-02-2012, 02-02-2012, 12-12-2012……..literally a binary Friggin Feast (we are allowed to use such language because of the festive nature of the occasion).
And what do these rare numberistic events mean? Not a fracking thing! They’re all past tense – days gone by.
But yezzzzz,……………….there were events we all can take glory in remembering in 2012, some that we are good “NOT TO RECALL” as well,….(contemplative moment),……… bidding them good riddance. What are some for you?
*This is the part where you reflect upon remembrances of recollections (1,000pt alliteration score) and we might as will make them interesting,…. (play adult version here).
What was your favorite day this year? Was it the The Presidential Election or maybe the best moment in 25,000 years – The mighty astral convergence or as now known, the “Not So Mayan Apocalypse”?
Take your time to remember important events that happened this last year of your life; it’s a worthwhile exercise using our fond recovery skill:Â Inventory.
This presents the possibility for us to account for what went right, what went wrong and what we would’ve done differently if we had a chance to do it all over again….(which we are never going to be able to do)!
It’s also a moment to remind ourselves, using another of our recovery skills: Gratitude. During 2012 we’ve had at least some things to be grateful for, and for many of us it presents a moment of spiritual joy for the abundance of good fortune we’ve experienced, not the least of which was the Mayan Apocalypse missing it’s mark ——— or the Astral Convergence not resulting in the reversal of the Earth’s Magnetic Polls, sending all humankind hurtling into the cosmos in our recliners, screaming in disdained fear for eternal salvation. I mean, the gravity of the matter… ( or lack of :).
Many of you missed this Astronomical Event of a meteor coming inside earth’s orbit this month. If it had hit us we would all be Dinosaurs by now. Here’s CNN to give us their cheesy version: (who hires these announcers anyway?)
Asteroid Near Miss Report: CNN
Now — about those resolutions………..
This is also the time of year to resolve in righteous resolution (that’s almost too Spiro Agnew, huh?) what we promise to do differently this year.
For Catholics…… say, give-up just about anything except prayer and contrition, (Twinkies and Cup Cakes will be a lot easier this year). If you’re Republican, go for the really hard stuff, like giving-up obstruction of the congress or hating Obama. Mostly, its about making ridiculous promises that you have no real intention of fulfilling ( don’t worry, God knows this) but sound good. AND —- if you had any self-discipline —- you might try for a couple of days ( okay then… hours).
But let’s do something unlike our conservatively caucused congressmen,…let’s compromise. How about if we try to “not give-up things” but instead promise to try and actually do some things we ought to. Here’s a few ideas:
1) Be positive. Let’s all look to the possibilities for the common good instead of the constant cynical pessimism we’ve come to love in our drama addiction.
2) Help someone else with an occasional act of random kindness. When you sense a chance to be an anonymous angel in another human beings life presented,………….take it. Our hero, Jesus Christ would have. Be like him — instead of just talking the same old religious smack.
3) Promise to make your expectations of life realistic. None of us should set stupid goals but all of us do in our New Year’s “Dumb-o-lutions”. No oaths to play the lotto or blow your paycheck at the casino either. No promises to land the job of a life, finish your Phd (start with your GED) or become CEO. How about a “keep it simple” resolve to do the best you can, to accept life on its terms, and to aspire towards the finest of human qualities: patience, tolerance, compassion, understanding, charity, genuine universal love for your fellow man: a regard for the common welfare of all your human kin.
4) If you’re a racist – quit it. “judge not least thou shalt be judged”. The color of the world is now more brown than white – deal with it – blend in – get along or be left behind and with good riddence.
5) Before we get into item #999 (and no, devil spookers, those are not upside down 6’s) let’s just quit here for both of our own goods with this final thought………..remember this episode from Kung-Fu?
We learn to accept life by adapting to it. If you want you can join me in this 2013 resolution, one which we can both surely attain:
In this year, I will effort to adapt when life has it’s way with me. As the reed bends to the wind, so will I, swaying with life’s gusts and breezes. Surely those that aspire to this skill in all matters of their days will prosper and survive. They will wonder as they wander and the New Year will bring some inspiration by their new survival skill.
OKAY! Now — the plug. Wishing you all the best of recovery: a life of contentment and living in the present.Watch for the new book coming out this Winter and if you don’t have it in your spiritual library, here’s my dear old friend that so many use in working their 12Step lives of recovery. Link-up and download right now: (cut and paste into your browser)
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Steps-Recovery-Beginning-ebook/dp/B004V0CHY2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356978582&sr=1-1&keywords=living+the+12+steps+of+recovery
HAPPY NEW YEAR
~ NAMASTE ~