Quotes & Comments

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days o’ lang syne ?
— Robert Burns, beloved nineteenth century Scottish poet.

If you had a New Years Eve similar to mine, you probably mumbled your way through the traditional ballad “Auld Lang Syne” in a haze of cheap champagne as the clock struck midnight.

There is nothing like watching a roomful of confused strangers raise plastic party cups and toast the new year with a shaky rendition of the wistful tune, heads held high as the  butchered verses soar onward: “Should all our faces be distraught, whether wrong or right?”

In light of this humorous occurrence and the dawn of a brave new year, I decided to investigate the origins of those three intriguing words.

I assumed the ballad had a melodramatic historic past, like the English ballad “Greensleeves” with its supposed dedication to the beheaded Anne Boleyn, or the Irish ballad “Danny Boy” which describes a young man headed off to war.

As for our lovely new years traditional? Light on the drama and bloodshed, heavy on the lovelorn sentiment. According to Answers.com, the Scottish phrase “auld lang syne” roughly translates to “time long past” or “old long since,” which makes a fitting tribute when raising a glass to toast the good ol’ days as the new year begins.

Whether its the heartwarming rendition at the end of Frank Capra’s classic film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” or the impassioned sound of thousands singing together in Times Square, “Auld Lang Syne” holds a warm place in the hearts of millions of Americans, even if it is a Scottish ballad with ineligible lyrics.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne. Happy new year everybody.
— Chris Kato
Copy Editor

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=2933

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jan 5 2009. Filed under Opinion, Quotes & Comments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com