NEW YEAR’S EVE

I am still listening to holiday music but it will soon be time to sing this one.

https://youtu.be/PER8f7bQIlg?si=NAf6ngF0iXUws1HX

I have lost count of how many times in my 73 years I have sung this song.  In my family it was a tradition on New Year's Eve. Aunts and Uncles would come on over, as well as close friends of my parents, while listening to Andy Stewart as he hosted Hogmanay on TV.

What is Hogmanay and for those who are unfamiliar to the term, this is what I found online:

"Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of New Year's Eve and can last for days.  No one celebrates the evening quite like the Scots.  It is believed the Scots inherited the celebration of Hogmanay from the Vikings and their celebration of the shortest day.  Many, however, believed that as Christmas was virtually banned and not celebrated in Scotland from the end of the 17th century until the 1950's, New Year's Eve was an excellent excuse for revelry, to drink whisky and eat good food.  To this day Hogmanay involves parties and festivals all across Scotland, with the largest and most famous public party in Edinburgh."

I had an Aunty who was born in Scotland, who used to tell me how she celebrated as a child and I loved those stories. 

For us we joined our family circle and crossed arms, held hands and sang Auld Lang Syne as the clock struck midnight and we said goodbye to the Old Year. Then we hugged one another and raised a glass to bring in the New. It was the only night of the year that we kids were allowed to stay up late and party with the adults. There was always a lot of laughter in our house, especially at times such as these.

Auld Lang Syne

by Robert Burnes in 1788

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 take a cup o'kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, me dear,

For auld lang syne.

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.

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For 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.

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We'll tak a cup o'kindess yet,

For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!

And gie's a hand o'thine!

And we'll take a right gude-willie waught,

For 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.

This week we are returning back to normal after all the fun activity of the holidays. We become reflective and realize we have so much to be thankful for. No day is taken for granted because having family and friends whose lives have changed in the blink of an eye, and with events that have happened in our own lives, we know only too well that we need to count each day as a blessing. For me, if I have made any New Year's Resolutions it is this, to tell those nearest and dearest to me how very much I love them, and how much better I am for having them in my life.   

And to those whose lives are affected terribly by world events, our hearts go out to you, we see you and wish you Peace and Joy in 2024.  

A Happy New Year to everyone!  

May it be your best one ever,

And in the words of this marvelous melody,

Let’s tak a cup o'kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.