Saturday, December 29, 2018

Ready or Not, It's Auld Lang Syne Time Again...


Jeff—Saturday

Not being known for having a firm grasp on when it's best to call it quits, I thought I'd risk enhancing that reputation by parlaying the rave reviews of last Saturday's parody of "T'was The Night Before Christmas" into rerunning another parody (Ed. Note: "rave" being measured by Barbara not tossing me out on my red nose).  This one, though, probably should be written by a Scot since it’s derived from a poem by perhaps the most famous Scot of all—as opposed to the most famous reindeer of all—Robert Burns (1759-1796).  A Mykonian lass who’d read last Saturday's rendering a couple years back had suggested I take a crack at this New Years Eve standard, and who was I to resist a request? 

Robert Burns

Burns wrote the poem (here’s the original version) in 1787, set to the tune of a traditional folk tune (Roud #6294).  Its seminal phrase, “Auld Lang Syne,” is traditionally translated as “long, long ago” though “old long ago” is more literally correct (based upon my deep understanding of the Lowland Scots language) and is a song about love and friendship in times past. For those of us who believe in time travel, astral planes, and questionable sobriety, I should point out that the phrase “auld lang syne” has been used by other poets in their work, including one Allan Ramsay (1686-1757), which I guess gives our Caro and her Alan a claim to have beaten me to the punch (bowl).

The other Ramsay...also with another career, a wigmaker

Happy New Year, everyone—and please forgive me, Scotland.


Should odd acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should odd acquaintance be for not,
And made to toe the line?


As in odd.

For all fond thine, I cheer,
For all fond mine,
We'll share a cup o' kindness yet,
For we’re all fine.


And surely you’ll pick yours to hug!
And surely I'll pick mine!
And we'll show a lot o' kindness yet,
For we’re all fine.



For all fond thine, I cheer,
For all fond mine,
We'll share a cup o' kindness yet,
For we’re all fine.


We all have run about the hills
In search of flower wine;
And wandered many a weary foot,
But we’re all fine.



For all fond thine, I cheer,
For all fond mine,
We'll share a cup o' kindness yet,
For we’re all fine.


We too have paddled up the stream,
In mourning, fun, and grind;
And seas between us broad have roar'd,
But we’re all fine.


For all fond thine, I cheer,
For all fond mine,
We'll share a cup o' kindness yet,
For we’re all fine.


And here's a hand, my trusty friend!
And give a hand o' thine!
And we'll drink to kindness and good will,
For we’re all fine.



For all fond thine, I cheer,
For all fond mine,
We'll share a cup o' kindness yet,
For we’re all fine.



To get your head back in the holiday mood--and me hopefully back in the good graces of the Scots--here's the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards playing Auld Lang Syne accompanied by a journey to the timeless Scotland of Robert Burns' inspiration.

A Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year to ALL!

—Jeff

6 comments:

  1. If for naught else, the new year takes over the Trump Hump, and (while I tempt the fates in saying so), it's all downhill from here on out.

    All my best wishes to you, Barbara, and all of the Fine Folks hereabout.

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  2. Thanks, Jeff! And best wishes to you and Barbara for 2019!

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  3. A happy and healthy New Year to you an Barbara, an to all our bloggers and readers.

    For being one of the most well known of songs, I hazard a guess that its words (even for verses 1 and 2) are the least known! How many times have you seen a raucous start to the song, rapidly followed by humming and the making up of strange words? Almost always followed by a swig and a deep kiss.

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  4. I think it's the (swigging) journey more than the destination that makes it work. :) Happy New Year to you and Mette!

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  5. For auld lang syne my friend,
    I'll raise a glass o' wine
    but bring a hat to help yer heid
    it rains here oh the time.


    Fab blog by the way, brought a tear to my cynical little Glaswegian eye,

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    Replies
    1. Bringing a tear to your eye, sweet Caro,
      Is aye a thought that brings me great sorrow.
      But you as a friend always makes me sing,
      Of you, lass, my favorite Glaswegian.

      Happy New Year.

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