Wednesday, December 31, 2008

"Auld Lang Syne"


Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an nivir brocht ti mynd?
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an ald lang syn?

CHORUS:
Fir ald lang syn, ma deer,
fir ald lang syn,
Wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.

An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup!
an sheerly al bee myn!
An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, how did you make out on the pronunciation on that one?
I thought this would be a good way to end 08 and bring in 09. We attended the New Year's Gala dinner at Northside Bible Chapel tonight (the roast beef was exquisite! Thanks Gary & Lois!), and Noel played a rendition of the above song on his clarinet at the end. I asked about four people what "Auld Lang Syne" meant and they all shrugged their shoulders. So according to www.en.wikipedia.org this is what it means:

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song (Roud # 6294). It is well known in many English-speaking countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day.

The song's (Scots) title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago"[1] or "days gone by". The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is also used in similar poems by Robert Ayton (1570–1638), Allan Ramsay (1686-1757), and James Watson (1711) as well as older folk songs predating Burns.[2] In his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language, Matthew Fitt uses the phrase "In the days of auld lang syne" as the equivalent of "Once upon a time." In Scots syne is pronounced like the English word sign.


In just about an hour we will say goodbye to 2008 and welcome 2009. As we do, we will thank God for all His faithfulness and blessing and trust Him with the future. After all, He holds it! God bless you and see you next year!

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