On Christmas Day my children unexpectedly lost their stepfather, Joe Bionda. Joe had a bigger than life heart, and a spirit that bought him friends wherever he sailed, for he was a man who loved the sea, almost as much as he did my children and grandchildren. In his honor I’m reposting a blog I put up one year ago for New Years Day. It’s all about the words so many will sing tonight thinking of Joe.
God rest your blessed soul, Papa Joe.
This piece really should be written by a Scot since it’s
derived from a poem by perhaps the most famous Scot of all—or was it reindeer
of all—Robert Burns (1759-1796), but as a Mykonian friend who’d read my last
week’s fracturing of “Twas the Night
Before Christmas” (aka “A Visit from St Nicolas” for you purists out there) suggested
I take a crack at this New Years Eve standard, who am I to resist her request?
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).
Happy New Year, everyone—and please forgive me, Scotland.
And never brought to mind?
Should odd acquaintance be for not,
And made to toe the line?
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 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
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