Tonight’s the night to sing “Auld Lang Syne!” It is always sung in holiday movies, in Times Square, on popular TV shows, and many times at New Year’s gatherings. But what does it mean? I did a little research and found this on www.Scotland.org.
In sentimental American movies, Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne is sung by crowds at the big New Year finale. In Bangkok and Beijing it is so ubiquitous as a song of togetherness and sad farewells, they presume it must be an old Thai or Chinese folk song; while in France it is the song which eases the pain of parting with the hope that we will all see each other again – Oui, nous nous reverrons, mes frères, ce n’est qu’un au revoir. Auld Lang Syne is one of Scotland’s gifts to the world, recalling the love and kindness of days gone by, but in the communion of taking our neighbours’ hands, it also gives us a sense of belonging and fellowship to take into the future.
It is one of the many folk songs from the great Lowland Scots tradition collected and fashioned by the pen of one of the world’s greatest songwriters. Burns devoted the last years of his life to the song tradition, and often a mere fragment from some old ballad was transformed by his alchemy into a memorable love song or Scots poem.
Let us tonight think of the people that are dearest to us and give thanks for them. We belong to each other and have a bond of friendship that will take us into the next year.
Happy New Year to you, my friends. You enrich my life with your e-mails and comments on this blog. I hope 2016 will be a very special year for you.
Comments 18
Thank you, Phyllis, for all of the beautiful encouragements and instructions for making our lives fuller and more of a blessing to others. In good old Ramsay High School, while Erskine Ramsay was still alive, we were treated to rare visits from him. He would come over in his kilt, carrying a crooked thorn stick, with a jaunty ribboned hat on his head, every once in a long while. He always sang a Scottish ditty for us and danced a bit. We were taught in English classes then by Misses Clementine Allen and Virginia Shook that “Auld Lang Syne” meant “Old Long Since”. It was my understanding that it came from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. In those days,1945-1949, his nephew, Paddy LeClaire, was a classmate. To get a bit of flavor of those days of Auld Lang Syne one might read “A Shropshire Lad” by English Poet Laureate, John Masefield, which is quoted in “Out of Africa”, or Dylan Thomas’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”. May 1916 bring new blessings to us all.
I love Julie Andrews singing this
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R8NSKN5Dlk8
Thank you Phyllis for your wonderful work and words that inspire us every day. A happy and blessed New Year to you and your family.
Phyllis,
As we leave one year behind and enter another full of hope, love, excitement, joy and some fun for good measure, may all of you at your publications and everyone who reads this blog and enjoys Victoria Magazine, go full force ahead into beautiful decorating, having teas, enjoying the old and precious, but seeing something exciting in the new. What ever would any of us do without your Magazine to cheer us on in our collecting of the beautiful and cherished, and knowing that when we share those items, we bring joy and creativity to those we love.
Thank you so very much for keeping the old alive and for taking us to beautiful locations and homes, that we might otherwise, have not known existed.
May God bless you as 2015 ends and 2016 begins. May the blessings you shower upon others return to you many times over. Thank you for the kindness you show the readers of your blog and wonderful publications. Happy New Year!
Sherry
Thank you so much for sharing this information. I am passing it on to my friends
and family. May the “New Year” be full of love, health, and happiness to you and
yours.
Dear Phyllis, As we ring out the old and ring in the New Year I wish you good health, your extended family, Hoffman Publication employees and fellow fans of yours a healthy and prosperous New Year. I thank you for your beautiful Christmas CD and all of your inspiring and beautiful publications that make my mouth water and aspire my decorating style, I treasure them all. May God truly bless your kind and loving spirit and Happy New Year! Carmel
The parents of a friend of mine were from Scotland. They used to celebrate New Year’s Eve not with revelry but quietly and thoughtfully, recalling times gone by and loved ones who had left this world. For them “Auld Lang Syne” was a wistful song, sung with a tear or two.
Wishing everyone peace and health in the new year!
May good health and happiness follow you and your family for all of 2016. Thank you for sending this regular email and I love the magazines! God bless you and yours!!
Thank you for all you do in making the world a lovelier place. Looking forward to more of your beautiful work in 2016!
Happy New Year To You As Well.
Thank You For A Lovely Magazine. Looking Forward To 2016.
Phyllis and Fellow Ribbon Followers,
May each of us, all those for whom we care and all of those ’round about us be Blessed in the coming year with Faith, Hope and Charity.
With Warmest Regards,
afa
Happy New Year, Phyllis! I trust the Lord will guide you and protect you in the year to come. Thank you for the joy you bring to my life through your publications and your blog. You are appreciated!
I pray the Lord’s best for you in the new year as you continue to encourage so many. Thoughtfully, Anita
What a lovely post. Thank you for the meaningful reminder to think of the people that are dearest to us and give thanks for them. Happy New Year to you, too.
Wishing you and your family, as well as everyone who reads The Ribbon in My Journal a beautiful New Year, filled with peace, joy, and much laughter Phyllis. Thank you for bringing beauty and gracious inspiration to all of us.
And many blessings to you Phyllis and to your family… It has been a real pleasure to be in contact with you for the last couple of months!
A very Happy 2016 to you and to all your readers!
Warmest Wishes,
Denise
Thank you for the background S of this old New Year song. And thank you for your kind New Year wishes.
I always look forward to your blog and the comments others add to your words. As I remember days if old and give thanks for friends and family tonight, I also send you (and my new friends in this chain) my wish for a 2016 filled with good health and happiness. May God bless you all.
Fondly,
CJ