Wenshine: AULD LANG SYNE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Wenshine: AULD LANG SYNE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?: Nearly every person in the world celebrates the beginning of a new year, and we all celebrate in different ways with d...

AULD LANG SYNE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Nearly every person in the world celebrates the beginning of a new year, and we all celebrate in different ways with different traditions.  One tradition in North America and Western Europe is singing “Auld Lang Syne” as we ring in the new year with friends and family.  But what exactly do these strange words mean?  From what culture do they originate, and what are we singing about when we sing these words?

Auld Lang Syne was written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, and was never intended to be a holiday song.  However, it quickly gained popularity in the late 1700s and has now become a New Year’s Eve anthem for people all over the world.  

When Scottish folk gather to sing this song, they traditionally sing it while standing in a circle, and each person crosses their arms in front of them, grabbing the hand of the person next to them.  They sing while swaying, with crossed arms, which symbolizes the crossing of their hearts, emphasizing the intensity of their feelings and expression.  And after all, Scots are nothing if not intense and wonderfully expressive!  (It’s in my Scottish blood, too!)

Here are the original words to Auld Lang Syne written in 1788, alongside their modern English translation.  I found this fascinating!

As we celebrate this annual passage from the old to the new, we kiss 2014 goodbye, and we say hello to 2015.  The concept of a new beginning and a fresh start is full of hope and promise .  For some, the thought of a new year is frightening because there is unwanted change and conflict waiting in the new year that cannot be avoided.  For others, this new beginning is full of anticipation and excitement, and the thrill of the unknown.  Most of us are likely somewhere in the middle, in the “cautiously optimistic” zone.  But one thing is certain.  The beginning of a new year brings most of us to a place of reflection, introspection, and intention, as we strive to be better, stronger, and happier in the coming year.

As we reflect on 2014 and embrace 2015, I leave you, dear friends, with the words of Robert Burns, now hopefully better understood!

“For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne,

We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet

For auld lang syne!”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!