Tuesday, December 31, 2013

"Auld Lang Syne, or "For the Sake of Old Times”

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, people around the world sing “Auld Lang Syne.”

From its roots in a Scottish ballad by Robert Burns about unfaithful love, the song has become one that evokes nostalgia, reflection and a look to the future, especially on New Year’s Eve at the stroke of midnight.

Over the years the song had revisions and changes, but the phrase, loosely translated from the original Scottish, means, "as time goes by," "old time's sake" or "old long since."

The words and music evoke sentimentality, nostalgia and affection for the people around us. And a thoughtful look toward the future.

No one could do the song like Guy Lombardo. Here's a YouTube video of the song by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians from 1953 (you can skip the ad). Enjoy


Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should all acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne

And surely you will buy your cup
And surely I'll buy mine
And we'll take a cup o'kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We too have run around the slopes
And picked the daisies fine
We've londoned many weary foot
Since auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne

We too have paddled in the stream
From morning sun to night
But the seas between us broad have roared
From auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup o'kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Happy New Year to one and all. May 2014 be a great year.


12 comments:

  1. That was beautiful Sanda: I haven't heard Guy Lombardo for a very long time, and yes, it was wonderfully nostalgic. As I listened I was thinking about how I used to love to waltz at dances and balls when I was young. You'll have me crying soon!! All the very best for a wonderful year in 2014, and thank you for blogging.

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    1. I would have pegged you as one who loved to waltz, Patricia. I hope you still give it a whirl once in a while. Guy Lombardo's music is definitely nostalgic.

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  2. Happy 2014!
    Our traditional slovene songs sung on New Year's Eve are full of nostalgia and lost love as well ;-)

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    1. It seems things are very similar in all countries of the world. You must share some of your traditional Slovene songs on your blog soon!

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  3. Nostalgia.. that is all I can think of.. My family gone.
    I love this song.. we never missed a New Year without holding hands and singing to it.
    I was humming it last night.. and it brought a tear to my eye.
    Wishing you a very happy entrance into Jan 2014 Sanda.
    look forward to more lovely posts.
    val x x

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    1. Hearing the song by Guy Lombardo is enough to bring many tears to the eyes. I know this was a difficult holiday period for you, even though you were among friends. I hope 2014 will bring you peace and happiness.

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  4. And happy new year to you. Thanks for all the memories and good things you remember and post.

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    1. Another year, and I have to get re-inspired for blogging. Sometimes I think I've said everything I wish to say here, but then something else pops up. Let the ideas keep flowing!

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  5. I'm catching up on posts so a bit late but still wishing you a New Year full of wonderful things. I for one am glad the winter holidays are behind us and that we will start getting a few more minutes of daylight each day. Looking forward to spring although I realize it is quite a way off.

    Darla

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    1. Even a few extra minutes of daylight each day helps, though! Wishing you the same for a happy 2014. Spring seems a long, long time away1

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  6. I´m late too with my Happy New Year Greetings to you Sanda, anyways, better later than never.
    We still have The Epiphany next Monday before closing the season.
    Daylight badly needed indeed.
    The melody was a familiar one, only seldom heard over here.

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    1. The the same to you, Mette! We don't celebrate The Epiphany; what happens in the way of celebration/commemoration on that day? (It could be that Catholics here observe the day; not sure). The wind has blown like a storm here all day and its very cold. I am to attend a funeral tomorrow and I'm thinking I may wear my mink coat.

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