Saturday, December 31, 2011

Auld Lang Syne - Happy New Year!!!

Lily and daughter Smidge


Lily here tonight...Since we live in an area of the country that was settled mainly by Scotch-Irish folks we thought we would post about the origins of the New Years Eve song Auld Lang Syne.

The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year's eve, "Auld Lang Syne" is an old Scottish song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. Burns transcribed it (and made some refinements to the lyrics) after he heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland, Burns's homeland. 

It is often remarked that "Auld Lang Syne" is one of the most popular songs that nobody knows the lyrics to. "Auld Lang Syne" literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by." The song asks whether old friends and times will be forgotten and promises to remember people of the past with fondness, "For auld lang syne, we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet."

The lesser known verses continue this theme, lamenting how friends who once used to "run about the braes,/ And pou'd the gowans fine" (run about the hills and pulled up the daisies) and "paidl'd in the burn/Frae morning sun till dine" (paddled in the stream from morning to dusk) have become divided by time and distance—"seas between us braid hae roar'd" (broad seas have roared between us). Yet there is always time for old friends to get together—if not in person then in memory—and "tak a right guid-willie waught" (a good-will drink).(info from New Year Traditions)






Auld Lang Syne
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 of 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 monie 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 gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.


Happy New Year to all our friends  - May 2012 bring you nothing but happiness, prosperity and health!

30 comments:

Cheyenne -Millie said...

We gets tears in our eyes when we hear that song in the movie It's a Wonderful Life! Thank you for the lyrics! Hope you are having a wonderful New Year Night and tomorrow too! And that the season finds you well!

Katnip Lounge said...

Mommy wants some willie waught!

Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2012 from the Lounge Kats!

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We loved your talking about the lyrics. Have a great New Year (and we shall not forget our friends)

meowmeowmans said...

Thank you for explaining that song ... we've always wondered! :)

Happy New Year, sweet friends! We wish you a 2012 filled with love, happiness and abundant blessings.

Hugs!

Sparkle said...

Happy New Year! May 2012 fulfill your best kitty wishes!

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Cats think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's...May all your days in 2012 be filled with purrs and not hisses...Happy New Year to all of you, too!

Mickey's Musings said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
Popular son around here too :). Our Mom's Mom is from Scotland.
May 2012 bring you joy,health
and good fortune :)
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Tiger,Treasure and JJ

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Cezar and Léia said...

Thanks for this beautiful post!
Mammy and I wish you all a blessed 2012, filled with love and lights!
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA

Fuzzy Tales said...

A cup of kindness and a good-will drink sound good to us. Thanks for that post!

A very happy new year to you all!

Marg said...

WE sure do wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. Great info on Auld Lang Syne. Everyone is going to stay healthy this year. Take care.

Brian's Home Blog said...

We did not know most of that, how cool! Happy New Year dear friends!!!

Old Kitty said...

I remember singing the first verse and chorus with aplomb last night and not much else! LOL!

Awwww thank you for the lyrics (yes, willie waught!) and the music - it's a truly wonderful New Year's Song! Happy 2012 to you adorable kitties of Wildcat Woods!

p.s. Your new look blog is BEAUTIFUL!! Take care
x

Admiral Hestorb said...

Happy New Year dear friend.

Mom Carole

Catherine said...

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2012!
xo Catherine

The Island Cats said...

We never did understand that song...thanks for the explanation!

We wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Hannah and Lucy said...

Happy New Year to you all - thanks for the info about Auld Lang Syne.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

Wish you a happy and prosperous 2012 !!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year you guys!!!! woo woo woo!

The Florida Furkids said...

Happy New Year! We hope 2012 is a wonderful one for you!!

The Florida Furkids

When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet said...

Your cats are beautiful! Thank you for the song background! It is one of my favorites but I never did understand it before now. Happy New Year!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Wishing you a Happy New Year.. Hugs GJ xx

Kimo and Sabi said...

Happy New Year 2012!

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

we always cry when we hear that song as well...I love that you gave us the background of this classic...

I will never forget those that have touched my life in the past...the past is what helps us make us what we are in the present.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
xoxoxo

Prudence said...

Mom gets tears in her eyes whenever she hears this song, thanks for its history! Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy New Year!

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

Happy New Year dear friends. Hoping 2012 brings you peace, health and joy and in abundance. xx

Ellen Whyte said...

Hey you're back! Excellent. Wishing you a happy, healthy, fun and successful New Year.

catsynth said...

Happy New Year! What a sweet picture!
And thanks for the info about Auld Lang Syne. I've heard bits of pieces of its history and actual lyrics, but not presented so succinctly.

Fr. Tom Fish said...

Thanks so much for being our friends and we wish you the best in the New Year!

We never tire of seeing the lyrics for auld lang syne. It was good to read them again.

Tom, mom Julie & Mittens

Chloe and Cecil said...

Happy New Year to You, and to celebrate we have passed the Liebster Award to your bloggy. Stop by for a visit, our secretary posted about it!

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