If there’s anything we enjoy, it’s sharing our culture, our traditions, and our music. Tonight, we get that chance when an old Scottish poem takes center stage. It is the night of Auld Lang Syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
This one song is the world’s hymn in the minutes between an old and a new year. It serves as both a lament and a welcome. It serenades us through tears of sadness and of joy. It accompanies regret and hope as unlikely but inseparable partners. It unifies us as we sway, arm in arm, with our closest friends as well as strangers. It seems perfectly suited for the occasion.
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup!
and surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
For generations, in those few precious moments of letting go and seeking promise we sing these words of kindness and friendship. We find the best part of ourselves. We set differences aside and wish each other well.
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.
This is an important exercise-or shall we call it an important exorcise. The need to make peace with days and deeds gone by (lang syne) allows us to move ahead. To try again. To, as Winston Churchill said, “never, never, never give up.”
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
While most will choose Auld Lang Syne as their new year anthem, our Celtic songbook requires that we will call upon it throughout the year. We will play it at memorial services, weddings, ceilidhs, Burns’ Suppers, and, frankly, most any other time we’re together. But when you think of it, it’s simple. This little tune has the power to remind us of our human experience. To see past the difficulty of the day and find comfort in those around us. Perhaps this is defined as all is right with the world. Our tradition gives us this, and we take advantage of it.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak’ a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne.
So, from everyone at Celtic Matador, we send you wishes for days filled with trusty friends, shared pints, an all sorts of memorable shenanigans. May you enjoy the kindness and hospitality of others. May you find all of the fortune and goodness you seek. And when we are together, we shall raise a glass and sing of it…all year long.
