Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?


CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.


And surely you’ll buy your pint cup and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.


CHORUS


We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.


CHORUS


We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.


CHORUS


And there’s a hand my trusty friend! And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.


CHORUS

Robert Burns' poem set to a traditional folk song is the traditional English anthem for the end of the year and the dawn of the new.  Did you know it has the same meter as "American the Beautiful" so the lyrics can be sung interchangably?  Me neither.  No matter how you sing it, or even say it, it symbolizes endings and beginnings.  So tonight, as we toast the old year away to history and ring in the new year full of hopes and wishes, I hope we can keep our friendships that buoy us up, strengthen family ties even if they don't, and  always look forward with faith and hope that things will improve, knowing we can each do just a little better than we did this year.

Happy New Year, friends!  Be safe, and I'll see you right here again throughout 2011.