Dakota Beacon

At year’s end families and friends bind together the loose ends of time. Many people around the world bid farewell to the old year by singing “Auld Lang Syne” in a spirit of camaraderie. Such a traditional way to celebrate. Acknowledge the past, bury the hatchet, and anticipate a better future. What’s done is done and one cannot unscramble scrambled eggs. Let bygones be bygones and turn over a new leaf with the New Year.

Most folks know or are familiar with the tune to “Auld Lang Syne.” Some people may be familiar with the verses in their entirety. Only a fraction would know the verses in the actual Scottish. The words are attributed to Robert Burns (1759-1796) but not the melody.

Literal translation: “auld lang syne” means “old long since” or “old long ago.” Idiomatically, the words could be rendered “long ago” or “days gone by.”

With obvious nostalgia, Burns recalls the cherished relationship with old friends and the good times they shared together. Celebrating these friendships on New Year’s Eve includes singing together and raising a traditional tankard of brew – usually ale but not necessarily an alcohol drink. With that, try this:

                        Chorus: “For auld lang syne, my dear,

                                    For auld lang syne,

                        We’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,

                                    For auld lang syne.”

            We will have a drink together for old time sake.

                        “Should auld acquaintance be forgot

                                    And never brought to mind?

                        Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

                                    And auld lang syne?”

            Burns asks a rhetorically probing question, then answers with his recollections.

                        “And surely ye’ll be your pint stoup,

                                    And surely I’ll be mine;

                        And we’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,

                                    For auld lang syne.”

            You’ll have your tankard and I’ll have mine for the next round.

                        “We twa hae run about the braes,

                                    And pou’d the gowans fine;

                        But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,

                                    Sin’ auld lang syne.”

            We’ve worn ourselves weary since the old days in fields and flowers.

                        “We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,

                                    Frae morning sun till dine;

                        But seas between us braid hae roar’d

                                    Sin’ auld lang syne.”

            Rough seas separated us since the old days when we played in the streams.

                        “And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!

                                    And gie’s a hand o’thine!

                        And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waugh,

                                    For auld lang syne.”

So, let’s clasp a hand of friendship and share a good drink for old time sake.

At year’s end, on December 31 after an evening of celebration, the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” drift across the room as sure as midnight bells toll around the world.

 In the midst of turmoil during an unprecedented year, remember to bind together with family and friends. The value of enduring friendships transcend time; the reservoir of reciprocal regard inevitably inspires and sustains the human spirit.

Happy New Year!

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).