Dakota Beacon

At the closing of the year families and friends tie together the loose ends of time in a spirit of camaraderie. Many people around the world bid farewell to the old year by singing “Auld Lang Syne”. This traditional celebration acknowledges the past, buries the hatchet, and anticipates a better future. What is done is done. One cannot unscramble scrambled eggs. Let bygones be bygones and turn over a new leaf with the New Year.

Most people know, or are familiar with, the tune to “Auld Lang Syne.” Some may even be familiar with the verses in their entirety. But only a fraction would know the verses in the Scottish laced with Celtic words. The original words are attributed to Robert Burns (1759-1796). However, he did not write 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. 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. Consider the following stanzas. After each stanza is my own one-sentence commentary.

                        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 rhetorical 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 the hand of friendship and share a good drink for old time’s sake.

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

Amid turmoil during an unprecedented year, remember to tie together the loose ends of time with family and friends. The value of enduring friendships transcends time, and the reservoir of reciprocity inevitably inspires and sustains the human spirit.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

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