Saturday, December 31, 2022

A Special Meaning For This Year's Auld Lang Syne Rendition

 


Clockwise: Stan, Michael, Cara, Yrsa, Leighton, Jeff


Jeff—Saturday


Several years ago, a Mykonian lass who'd read my parody of "T'was the Night Before Christmas," suggested I take a crack at a similar treatment of a New Year's Eve standard derived from a poem by perhaps the most famous Scot of all (other than our Caro)–Robert Burns (1759-1796).  This year's re-posting of that parody takes on special meaning to me, for seeing it as I do as a paean to not forgetting old friends, I dedicate this post to our beloved MIE friend and colleague, Stan Trollip. Stan is an original member of the group of six that created MIE, and with his decision to retire at the end of 2022 from his regular MIE slot, we shall all dearly miss his insights and grand reporting on the state of our world.  
 
We love you, Stan.

Now on to Robert Burns.

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 in case you missed the uplifting nature of my parody--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

4 comments:

  1. Aside from 1 and itself, the prime factors of 2023 are 7, 17, 119, 289. The next year that is a prime number will be 2027.

    In case you were interested.

    Otherwise, best wishes to all, and to all a great year!

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  2. The only confusing part, EvKa, is whether your opening is, "Aside from I" or Aside from 1." But no matter, you're a prime factor to all of us at MIE, all you have my sincerest best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.

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  3. What do you mean 'back' in the good grace of the Scots ? Any more of that and I shall set my haggis upon you! Happy hogmanay from Scotland!! C and A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear C &A (to whom I wish a Hearty Happy New Year), Based upon all the Scotland-based many-murders detective shows we've watched these past months, I thought it best that I apologize upfront to any of your country-mates who might have taken offense at my efforts to parody the sacred text of Robert Burns...and hopefully minimize the risk of my gaining a real life telly appearance in body bag.

      Your haggis I never anticipated.

      Delete