Auld Lang Syne … The ‘B’ Side
George Stahl
There are many traditional songs that come to mind with ringing out the old and bringing in the new when Dec. 31 comes creeping up on us again. Originally written as a drinking song by a 17th century Scottish poet, Robert Burns, he had in mind a sort of pub sing-along song at the local taverns in the hills of Scotland.
In 1788 the poem turned folk song was a six-stanza examination of Burns’ life. It is a recapping of what friendship is, what love friends have for one another, and for how old friends do not need to be left behind when new friends come into a person’s life.
A band leader named Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadian Band introduced the song to America via television on New Year’s Eve, 1956. “Auld Lang Syne” made its command appearance, and every year since, millions of people sang along. They sang the words but did not have a clue as to what they meant. Nevertheless, the song became as big a tradition with American New Year’s as pumpkin pie is on Thanksgiving. So, what is it we have been singing all of these 67 years?
One of the most classically made mistakes when singing the song is that we sing the first line as if it were a statement. In fact, it is a question. Should old acquaintance be forgotten? Why? We don’t have to forget our old friends when we make new ones.
Then, after these words, we hear the chorus for the first time, and we will hear it again for a total of five times before the song is over. Today we sing the phrase “auld lang syne,” and we propose a toast in honor of the new year. “We’ll take a cup of kindness yet …” This is Burns’ gesture to raise a glass to hail friends, both old and new, and to our families, with wishes of kindness and all good things to everyone. On New Year’s Eve at midnight, we sing it for those reasons and also to ring out the old year and bring in the new with promises and optimism. The chorus concludes with another “auld lang syne,” translated “old long since,” meaning “times gone by.”
These are all of the words we use at midnight on the last day of the year, the first stanza and one chorus. Sometimes the chorus is repeated, but no one usually goes past this point. Why not? For two reasons: 1) no one knows the words beyond this stanza by heart, and 2) by midnight, most people are too drunk to sing any more.
Burns was a poet and songwriter and one of Scotland’s favorite sons up until the day he died in 1796. His best work, unfortunately, is not known for what he intended it to be. Ironically, it has become the most popular song of the year and has been sung several million times the world over. Imagine having written a song so popular that all of the world knows the words to one stanza out of six and the chorus, but no one in the world knows what they mean.
Happy New Year!
It’s the Little Things
Kris Szlauko
Precious moments to my heart brings,
Wonderment of the little things.
Hummingbirds whose flight sings,
An amazing dance upon the wing.
A sunbeam from the clouds peeking,
A promise of the clear skies we’re seeking.
The smell of fresh pie baking,
The anticipation of the actual partaking.
An infant’s fingers forever reaching,
A promise of a miracle enfolding.
The wonderment that a child brings,
A fresh look at our world and its happenings.
The flood of love when hearts are embracing,
When souls and hands are forever touching.
A spectacular sunrise gloriously breaking,
A long night’s final awakening.
The break of a new day so inspiring,
So many precious moments worthy of sharing.
It’s all those little things that bring,
Life, love, and a reason for living.
It Was the Night Before New Year’s Day
Ernest D’Godor
It was the night before New Year’s Day, and all through the house, the creatures were all stirring and fighting over who needed the bathroom the most, with the college kids winning.
There was pawing through the jewelry boxes and stealing from each other’s closets. And visions of dancing and drinking going through their heads.
The moon was full, shining on the new-fallen snow, making the cars with the callers all stand out. Then there were doorbells ringing and people running up and down the staircases. With all the girls being grateful the weather was so bright, it would show off their new coats and add sparkle to their diamonds. Not to mention that precipitation of any kind would frizz their hair.
Even the parents, who were the last to leave, were sighing a sigh of happy relief that they got through another year without major mishap. Their quiet little soiree with their friends would end just after midnight and a toast to the new year. Then they could get back to the business of nestling into their beds for a long winter’s night.
Another year over. Another year older. Maybe not wiser, but certainly grateful for all they had received and a chance to make more memories in the year to come.
So, Ho Ho Ho and Ha Ha Ha. Make some noise, wake up the new year and bury some hatchets. Live each day like it was your last. Fill your hearts with joy and peace so that you may touch those around you. Good will is contagious.
Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night.