December 31, 2009
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Dear Mrs. Figgins:
Our family is from Czechoslovakia. We’ve been in the America for 2 years.
What is the New Year song “old land sign”?
Igor, New York
Dear Igor:
On New Year’s Eve, the most common song for most English-speaking people to sing “Auld Lang Syne”, and old Scottish song first written down in the 1700s.
Robert Burns is the person whose transcription got the most attention, so the song is associated with him.
A good translation of the words “auld lang syne” is “times gone by.”
When we sing this song, we are saying, “We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet for times gone by.”
It has long been associated with New Year’s celebrations and commonly played after folks in the United States (and around the world) watch the ball drop in New York’s “Times Square” .
Literally translated Auld Lang Syne means “Old Long Since,” “long, long ago” or “days gone by.”
Following are the words:
“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.”
And now Igor to you and yours – and to all: Happy New Year.
May GOD blanket you and yours with countless blessings and much health.
Mrs. Figgins
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