Auld Lang Syne--Many Years Ago

By Naomi Rawlings

Auld Lang Syne is perhaps one of the most played tunes around the world on New Year's Eve. The lyrics come from a 200 year old poem written by Robert Burns (of "The best laid schemes o' mice and men" fame). Burns was the most famous of Scots poets, writing in the traditional Scots dialect, and has been hailed as a national hero by many Scotsmen and Scotswomen.

So what does the title Auld Lang Syne mean? Well, exact interpretations vary, though they all carry a similar meaning. "Old long since," "long, long ago," "days gone by" and "old times" are all possible meanings. The "cup of kindness" mentioned in the chorus refers to a drink shared between friends. Below you'll find an illustration of Auld Lang Syne by John Masey Wright and John Rogers.

Robert Burns claims to have written the "old, old song" down rather than created it himself. Indeed, some of his lyrics bear a striking resemblance to a ballad published at the beginning of the 18th Century, though some of them appear to be original. The tune comes from a traditional Scottish folk song, and the lyrics are as follows:

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 me a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Here's Auld Lang Syne sung by Dougie Maclean, one of Scotland's most famous contemporary singers and songwriters. Some of the lyrics are in the original Scots dialect.

Do you sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year's Eve? When are some other times you think the song might be appropriate to sing? And did you have any idea the lyrics had been written by a famous poet?

From everyone here at Heroes, Heroines, and History, have a Happy New Year!

~.~.~.~.~

A mother of two young boys, Naomi Rawlings spends her days picking up, cleaning, playing and, of course, writing. Her husband pastors a small church in Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula, where her family shares its ten wooded acres with black bears, wolves, coyotes, deer and bald eagles. Naomi and her family live only three miles from Lake Superior, where the scenery is beautiful and they average 200 inches of snow per winter. She is looking forward to the release of her fourth novel, Falling for the Enemy, in January 2015. For more information about Naomi, please visit her website at www.naomirawlings.com.

A Colonial American New Years

The Date
        For most of us, the new year begins on January 1. That’s because the Gregorian calendar (the one commonly used in the world today, named after Pope Gregory) indicates that January 1 is the beginning of a new year.

Pope Gregory XIII celebrating the introduction of the

Gregorian calendar.

Detail of the pope's tomb by Camillo Rusconi

        In many parts of western Europe, throughout the Medieval period, the Renaissance and even into the eighteenth century, March 25 was considered the beginning of the new year, reflecting the idea that with the Lord’s conception a new age had begun.
        There was also a tradition that March 25 was the day on which the world was created, thus joining the first creation and the new creation in one day.
        It follows then that, during most of America's colonial period, March 25 was the first day of the new year -- marking nine months before the celebration of Christ’s birth on Christmas Day.
        According to the Book of Common Prayer, the Feast of the Annunciation commemorates the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would be the mother of God’s son, Jesus, and Mary’s assent in faith to God’s invitation. In 1750, for example, the year ended on March 24, 1750. The following day was March 25, 1751. In that time period, New Englanders were still considered part of Great Britain, which continued to use the "old" Julian Calendar (named after Julius Caesar). Thus up until 1754, New Year's day was observed on March 25 throughout the English-speaking colonies.

The Food


Hoppin' John

Since Roman times, beans have been associated with good fortune, a belief that evolved into the custom of eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. In the southern American colonies, the legumes, which arrived on ships carrying slaves from Africa, found their way into a good-luck dish called hoppin' John, a mixture of black-eyed peas, rice, and salt pork or bacon. Cabbage is another popular New Year's Day dish believed to bring good luck. And in some cultures, backward-moving creatures such as crayfish and lobster are avoided on New Year's Day, because it's a time to move forward, not back.

The Singing
        The custom of singing "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight on New Year's Eve originated in the British Isles around the end of the 18th century, when it was common to end all parties with the song, usually with celebrants joining hands in a circle. This song was especially popular in Scotland, because the melody stemmed from a traditional Scottish folk tune, and the plaintive lyrics are generally credited to Scotland's national folk poet, Robert Burns.

"Auld lang syne"

 translates to "old long since," meaning the good old days.

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon;

The flames of Love extinguished, and fully past and gone:

Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine;

That thou canst never once reflect On Old long syne.

CHORUS:

On Old long syne my Jo,

On Old long syne,

That thou canst never once reflect,

On Old long syne.

 

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Susan F. Craft is the author of the SIBA Award winning Revolutionary War romantic suspense, The Chamomile.  She is represented by Linda S. Glaz, Hartline Literary Agency.

New Year's Eve Traditions

What do you and your family do to celebrate the beginning of the new year? Do you raise a cup of kindness and sing Auld Lang Syne? Do you watch the one-minute decent of the ball in Times Square New York City at midnight? Maybe you use noisemakers, gongs, fireworks, or firecrackers. 

Do you have your New Year Resolutions in mind or already written out? What about last year’s promises to self? Are there kisses all around for loved ones?

Read about where new year’s resolutions got their start in Patty Smith Hall’s CFHS Blog post on December 30th.

Even now I can hear the big band sounds of Guy Lombardo and The Royal Canadians playing Auld Lang Syne. 

Courtesy of the blog.thecanadianencyclopedia.com

Poet Robert Burns first published this old Scottish song in Scots Musical Museum (1796 edition). Some historians believe he heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland. He transcribed the words and improved the lyrics. "Auld Lang Syne" literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by."

Lombardo's version of the song was played at the Waldorf Astoria every New Year's eve from the 1930s until 1976. It was broadcast first on radio, and then later on television. It became such a New Year's tradition that, according to infoplease.com,  "Life magazine wrote that if Lombardo failed to play 'Auld Lang Syne,' the American public would not believe that the new year had really arrived."

Hogmanay, Scotland, considered the birthplace of the song "Auld Lang Syne" observes the tradition of “first-footing.” After welcoming in the new year at home, neighbors visit each other and bring gifts of coal for the fire or shortbread.  Naturally, there's music.

Courtesy of Sarah Anne Lawless.com

If your first guest at First-Footing happens to be a tall, dark, and handsome man, or if that fails—a fair woman, you are considered lucky. A man is preferred over a woman. Redheads are considered especially unlucky. Hm-m-m, a good beginning for a new historical novel. If you are looking for an all-night street party, the Edinburgh Hogmanay (hog-mah-NAY) is ranked the largest in the country.

Some celebrations are held to bid farewell to the problems and tribulations of the past year and to prepare for new beginnings.

Japan’s Bonenkai or “forget the year” parties are a time where forgiveness for misunderstandings and grudges are put aside. Houses are scrubbed in preparation for the new year and gongs are struck 108 times to expel the multitude of human weaknesses. New Year cards are popular, children receive otoshidamas, small gifts with money inside, and adults do not work.

If you are in Spain, you will eat twelve grapes at midnight to secure happiness in the coming year. I'm getting green, red, and black grapes just in case it makes a difference!

The Dutch light bonfires of Christmas trees and launch fireworks as a means to purge the old and embrace the new year.

One of the traditional foods during the Festival of St. Basil in Greece is Vassilopitta cake. A gold or silver coin is baked inside – a promise of good luck for the one who finds the coin in their piece of St. Basil cake.

Many of us will party around the television and watch the Waterford Crystal ball drop at midnight in Midtown Times Square. Originally made from wood and iron, the sixth generation of the Ball is 12 ft. in diameter and weighs 11,875 lbs. The flagpole now rises 475 above the street. It remains in full view atop One Times Square year-round in anticipation of the coming biggest party night of the year.

Who can pass up the Tournament of Roses parade that precedes the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day? Today's floats are elaborate and so creative. Did you know that the first parade was held in 1890? Carriages and horses were decorated with flowers to promote the "Mediterranean of the West." Writers, have you put this parade in any of your novels?

Tournament of Roses on New Year's Day 1893—Courtesy of WaterAndPower.org

 

 

 

The date refers to when the Pasadena settlement was first founded

Tournament of Roses on New Year's Day 1894—Courtesy of WaterAndPower.org

Whether you reflect on past mistakes and misfortunes, or resolve to improve oneself in the new year, resolutions are a standard part of the new year celebrations. This practice is believed to go back to the Babylonians. Read more about ancient practices on Cynthia Hickey's CFHS Blog post on January 3rd.

Saying “Happy New Year” in different languages is fun and a nice addition to your New Year’s card. Try your hand at pronouncing it the 35 languages presented at http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0923039.html. They also have "Saying Merry Christmas or Season's Greetings Around the World." You can practice up for next year.

January was not the original month chosen for the celebration of the calendar’s new year. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar reform restored January 1 as new year's day. Learn more about the history of the new year at http://www.infoplease.com/spot/newyearhistory.html

How ever you say it, sign it, or sing it, please have a very Happy and Blessed New Year. 

Make the CFHS Blog part of your 2014 resolutions.

Blessings, Lin

Lin and Jerry celebrate their holidays on their ranch P bar R Ranch-West, in Chimney Rock, Colorado. When she isn't researching the many historical sites in Southwest Colorado, she is working on her new series Voices in the Desert, which span the years 1928-1932. Book one about the Southwestern Indian Detour Couriers, Treasures Among the Ruins, is set in 1926 northwest New Mexico. Her heroine, Cornelia Miller, searches for self-identity and finds that love is as sure as the spring grass under the winter snowflakes.