Happy New Year!

by Stephanie Osborn
http://www.stephanie-osborn.com

And today marks the first day of 2015! Wow, how fast they go.

We'll do the traditional thing of singing Auld Lang Syne, but before we do, let's find out a bit about it, shall we?

Everybody knows the first verse and the chorus, but did you know there were five verses? Robert Burns, poet laureate of Scotland, wrote it in 1788 -- at least, he wrote the lyrics. The tune was an old folk tune, nobody knows just how old. According to Burns himself, he didn't write even the lyrics, but took dictation from an elder. So it may all be an ancient folk tune.

And the title, "auld lang syne," transliterates as, "old long since," or as we would say today, "a long time ago." In understanding the song, we need to realize that not only is the English archaic, but the lyrics veer back and forth between English, Scots Gaelic, and Scots English dialect! But in general one may take it as two old friends, having come to a milestone in their lives, reminiscing over a pint. Rather apropos to a New Year's Day, I think.

(If you want a good idea of what is really being said, check out Wikipedia, which actually has a very decent modern translation. I don't usually recommend it as a be-all end-all, but in this case, it's pretty good.)

And now let's have a look at the entire song.

~~~

Auld Lang Syne

by Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 

And never brought to mind? 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 

And auld lang syne! 

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne. 

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 

For auld lang syne. 

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp! 

And surely I'll be mine! 

And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet, 

For auld lang syne. 

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne. 

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 

For auld lang syne.

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. 

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne. 

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 

For auld lang syne. 

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. 

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne. 

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 

For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere! 

And gie's a hand o' thine! 

And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught, 

For auld lang syne. 

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne. 

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 

For auld lang syne.

~~~

May 2015 bring you blessings and happiness, now and the whole year through!

-Stephanie Osborn
http://www.stephanie-osborn.com

"A Song for New Year's Eve"

by Stephanie Osborn
http://www.stephanie-osborn.com

Today is the last day of 2014. It seems not so very long ago that it was the first day of 2014. I suppose that's a sign that I'm getting old. But I don't feel it, and so let us raise a glass in toast of what has been, and what shall be.

In that vein, here's one of my favorite poems for the day. I've used it before, and I've no doubt I'll use it again. I hope you like it as much as I do.

~~~

A Song for New Year’s Eve

by William Cullen Bryant

 Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay— 

     Stay till the good old year, 

So long companion of our way, 

     Shakes hands, and leaves us here. 

          Oh stay, oh stay, 

One little hour, and then away.

The year, whose hopes were high and strong, 

     Has now no hopes to wake; 

Yet one hour more of jest and song 

     For his familiar sake. 

          Oh stay, oh stay, 

One mirthful hour, and then away.  

The kindly year, his liberal hands 

     Have lavished all his store. 

And shall we turn from where he stands, 

     Because he gives no more? 

          Oh stay, oh stay, 

One grateful hour, and then away.  

Days brightly came and calmly went, 

     While yet he was our guest; 

How cheerfully the week was spent! 

     How sweet the seventh day’s rest! 

          Oh stay, oh stay, 

One golden hour, and then away.  

Dear friends were with us, some who sleep 

     Beneath the coffin-lid: 

What pleasant memories we keep 

     Of all they said and did! 

          Oh stay, oh stay, 

One tender hour, and then away.  

Even while we sing, he smiles his last, 

     And leaves our sphere behind. 

The good old year is with the past; 

     Oh be the new as kind! 

          Oh stay, oh stay, 

One parting strain, and then away.

~~~

And the hours count down...

-Stephanie Osborn
http://www.stephanie-osborn.com

The Old Year Ends; A New Begins

by Stephanie Osborn
http://www.stephanie-osborn.com

(Reposted/edited from New Year's Eve 2012)

I wanted to do something kind of special for this New Year's. When I discovered the poem below by the celebrated William Cullen Bryant (who may or may not have been my kinsman), I knew I had found my "something special." Sit back, sip a cup of something hot and soothing, and reminisce over the year 2013, as you read this lovely, thoughtful goodbye.



~~~

A Song for New Year's Eve
by William Cullen Bryant
Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay— Stay till the good old year, So long companion of our way, Shakes hands, and leaves us here. Oh stay, oh stay, One little hour, and then away. The year, whose hopes were high and strong, Has now no hopes to wake; Yet one hour more of jest and song For his familiar sake. Oh stay, oh stay, One mirthful hour, and then away. The kindly year, his liberal hands Have lavished all his store. And shall we turn from where he stands, Because he gives no more? Oh stay, oh stay, One grateful hour, and then away. Days brightly came and calmly went, While yet he was our guest; How cheerfully the week was spent! How sweet the seventh day's rest! Oh stay, oh stay, One golden hour, and then away. Dear friends were with us, some who sleep Beneath the coffin-lid: What pleasant memories we keep Of all they said and did! Oh stay, oh stay, One tender hour, and then away. Even while we sing, he smiles his last, And leaves our sphere behind. The good old year is with the past; Oh be the new as kind! Oh stay, oh stay, One parting strain, and then away.

The Old Year Ends; A New Begins

by Stephanie Osborn
http://www.stephanie-osborn.com

I wanted to do something kind of special for this New Year's Eve. When I discovered the poem below by the celebrated William Cullen Bryant (who may or may not have been my kinsman), I knew I had found my "something special." Sit back, sip a cup of something hot and soothing, and reminisce over the year 2012, as you read this lovely, thoughtful goodbye.



~~~

A Song for New Year's Eve
by William Cullen Bryant
Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay— Stay till the good old year, So long companion of our way, Shakes hands, and leaves us here. Oh stay, oh stay, One little hour, and then away. The year, whose hopes were high and strong, Has now no hopes to wake; Yet one hour more of jest and song For his familiar sake. Oh stay, oh stay, One mirthful hour, and then away. The kindly year, his liberal hands Have lavished all his store. And shall we turn from where he stands, Because he gives no more? Oh stay, oh stay, One grateful hour, and then away. Days brightly came and calmly went, While yet he was our guest; How cheerfully the week was spent! How sweet the seventh day's rest! Oh stay, oh stay, One golden hour, and then away. Dear friends were with us, some who sleep Beneath the coffin-lid: What pleasant memories we keep Of all they said and did! Oh stay, oh stay, One tender hour, and then away. Even while we sing, he smiles his last, And leaves our sphere behind. The good old year is with the past; Oh be the new as kind! Oh stay, oh stay, One parting strain, and then away.