Auld Lang Syne and New Year's Eve

One of my traditions on New Year's Eve is to try and get my home and life in order before the year ends. I have yet to be fully successful - but I like to try to start the New Year feeling organized. A year has never ended without me feeling nostalgic, but there is something about a fresh slate that provides the idea of endless possibilities. Like footsteps in the freshly fallen snow, it is fun to make those first strides in a new year.  I like goals better than resolutions, and this year I have quite a few.

Auld Lang Syne

No matter whether a year concludes with a fancy dress party; an early celebration with small children before
tucking them into bed; or just getting together with a few friends at home, the song "Auld Lang Syne" enters the thoughts of many people at some point each December 31st. Whether we hear it played by a band, on the radio or television, or just as background music in our own heads; this Scottish ballad has become synonymous with New Year's Eve.

We can thank Robbie Burns and Guy Lombardo for Auld Lang Syne

Drawing inspiration from an old Scottish folk song, Robert Burns wrote the lyrics that have been passed down from the 1700's, but he did not do so for a holiday party. Guy Lombardo and his band played it just after the clock struck midnight in 1929, and from that time forward the song became woven into the traditions of New Year's Eve.

A Song Sung Round the World

Auld Lang Syne is not just sung at New Year's however. The tune was used by South Korea in 1896 as the Imperial Anthem, it has been included in the soundtrack of numerous movies, is often played at both funerals and graduations, and Japanese stores even play it to signal closing time.

Old Long Since and Other Translations

Like Billy Crystal's character in the movie "When Harry Met Sally..., " many of us sing the words of this song without knowing what they really mean.  I found several translations for the title "Auld Lang Syne." According to an article on the ABC News website, this title means "times gone by." The Telegraph provides literal translations "old long since" and "long, long time," and a more general interpretation "the sake of old times." For me, the song is about remembering old friends and good times and carrying those memories forward into the next year without letting the past hold us back.

Learn the words before midnight!
The full lyrics (and the English translation) for the song Auld Lang Syne can be found by clicking here.

The following beautiful recording of Auld Lang Syne by Susan Boyle provides a shorter version, with the words provided as captions on the video. If you are not feeling overly ambitious, you can just learn this much and still probably impress other party-goers with your knowledge of the words to the song!

 

A toast to the readers of this blog 

However you celebrate this last day of the year, I hope that fond memories come to mind and the future is filled with wonderful opportunities. I appreciate every visit that has been made to this blog and every comment that has been left. I look forward to seeing you next year, and continuing to explore ways to make the most - - of every moment!

Happy New Year!

How do you celebrate New Year's Eve?

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