Saturday, December 31, 2011

...auld lang syne...



The Anglicized version of 'auld lang syne', which means old long-since or old long-ago.

Origin

auld lang syneThe phrase has been a commonplace in Scots for centuries and isn't far removed from the English 'once upon a time'. Of course, the best-known use of the phrase is Robert Burns' poem Auld lang syne, the words of which are sung in English-speaking countries around the world each New Year's Eve, to a tune that Burns said he transcribed from an old man's singing of it.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
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 twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin’ auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gies a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,
for auld lang syne.
Burns' version builds on earlier works. Poems and songs with somewhat similar text have been found dating back as far as anonymous ballad in the Bannatyne Manuscript of 1568. Another version, the first that contains a form of the 'auld lang syne' phrase, is attributed to the courtly poet Sir Robert Ayton (1570-1638).
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never thought upon,
The flames of love extinguished,
And freely past and gone?
Is thy kind heart now grown so cold
In that loving breast of thine,
That thou canst never once reflect
On old-long-syne

another year 
will soon be rolling in.
can't help but
be happy.
we've been blessed with another year.
remember when the year 2000
seems so far away.
and we danced in 1983 to
party like it's 1999.
welcome 2012.
i've been waiting for you.
just BE.
robin. 

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely blog you have. Thanks so much for visiting. Wishing you a happy new year and I look forward to visiting often.

BLOGitse said...

Like you, I'm so ready too...plus I'll paint! :)
Happy New Year 2012 to you!!!

Ralph said...

That we can remember the best of long ago (and forget the worst) seems to be so forward looking. That we are not so constrained by the past that we can look forward with relish is a great sentiment. Happy New Year 2012!

Hootin Anni said...

This was a wonderful share. I'm so ready for a new year. This past year, 2011, will leave us and there is nothing better than looking forward to the future.

Thanks for visiting today, and have a happy new year.

Sylvia K said...

May we all be able to remember the best and forget the worst! It hasn't been the best year, but I'm always hopeful that the new year will bring peace and joy to our sad world of today! Wonderful and interesting post for the day, Robin! Wishing you a most wonderful and Happy New Year!

Sylvia

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

It feels nice to be able to say that I am a descendant of Robert Burns-seven generations removed my mother said.
For auld lang syne!
We'll 'see' you in the New Year!

Full-On-Forward said...

Awesome pic and very informative! Blessings and a Prosperous and Happy 2012!! I love your Blog!!!!

J

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful post to end the 2011.

My shadow, happy new year!

Gemma Wiseman said...

A fascinating post about the history of the famous New Year song! I did not realise that there were so many versions! And love the wording in the last one!

Beautiful, shadowy silhouettes! Like shapes forming identity! Perfect for New Year!

Kelly said...

I'm always ready for each new day (time is meant to march on) and there's something special about a brand new year!

Enjoyed both the post AND the photo!

All the best to you in the coming year.

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

What would New Year be without auld lang syne... a sentimental post, thank you.

Happy New Year. :))

A Wild Thing said...

No snow in my world yet, but my confidence in it is high, tis the season...I hope this new year brings much peace and love your way Robin and for Tilda as well, been a rough year for her, right Tilda...but a new year is like new wool socks, there's nuthin like it! I for one am jazzed by it and with a whole day off, I'm heading to the work shop to play, my furniture calls.

Have a great day girls!

sharon

Cassie said...

You always have such interesting words to go with your photos. Now I know more about Auld Lang Syne then I knew about it in 2011! I've always liked the part where we sing "We'll take a cup o' kindnesss yet". I'm going to try to be more kind in 2012!