Happy New Year

"Auld Lang Syne"—the phrase can be translated as "long, long ago," or "old long since," but I like "old times past"—is a song that asks a question, a tender little question that has to do with the nature of being alive, of being a person on a journey in the world. It not only asks, it gives an answer.

It was written, or written down, by Robert Burns, lyric poet and Bard of Scotland. In 1788 he sent a copy of the poem to the Scots Musical Museum, with the words: "The following song, an old song, of the olden times, has never been in print." Burns was interested in the culture of Scotland, and collected old folk tales and poems. He said he got this one "from an old man"—no one knows who—and wrote it down. Being a writer, Burns revised and compressed. He found the phrase auld lang syne "exceedingly expressive" and thought whoever first wrote the poem "heaven inspired." The song spread throughout Scotland, where it was sung to mark the end of the old year, and soon to the English-speaking world, where it's sung to mark the new.

The question it asks is clear: Should those we knew and loved be forgotten and never thought of? Should old times past be forgotten? No, says the song, they shouldn't be. We'll remember those times and those people, we'll toast them now and always, we'll keep them close. "We'll take a cup of kindness yet."

-- Peggy Noonan for The Wall Street Journal

Remembering olden times gone is something I do just about every day, even though there is nothing really great in them. It's relative, as there is nothing better going on now, nor will there be later. So, I cannot say that New Year's celebrations do anything for me. I don't feel more nostalgic and weepy. In truth, I'm usually feeling annoyed at the fireworks in the neighborhood, and at the fact that we have so many damn holidays, with these three big ones coming so close together - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year - all shouting "loser!" Thank god the birthday is some months away. Well, maybe there is something to be said for getting it all over with at once.

I don't suppose this has been a cup of cheer, bah humbug. But I do sincerely wish all those who wander tbrough here a happy new year, and I mean it. After all, sentiment is cheap and I can afford it, heh. And I mean well.

Happy New Year

"Auld Lang Syne"—the phrase can be translated as "long, long ago," or "old long since," but I like "old times past"—is a song that asks a question, a tender little question that has to do with the nature of being alive, of being a person on a journey in the world. It not only asks, it gives an answer.

It was written, or written down, by Robert Burns, lyric poet and Bard of Scotland. In 1788 he sent a copy of the poem to the Scots Musical Museum, with the words: "The following song, an old song, of the olden times, has never been in print." Burns was interested in the culture of Scotland, and collected old folk tales and poems. He said he got this one "from an old man"—no one knows who—and wrote it down. Being a writer, Burns revised and compressed. He found the phrase auld lang syne "exceedingly expressive" and thought whoever first wrote the poem "heaven inspired." The song spread throughout Scotland, where it was sung to mark the end of the old year, and soon to the English-speaking world, where it's sung to mark the new.

The question it asks is clear: Should those we knew and loved be forgotten and never thought of? Should old times past be forgotten? No, says the song, they shouldn't be. We'll remember those times and those people, we'll toast them now and always, we'll keep them close. "We'll take a cup of kindness yet."

-- Peggy Noonan for The Wall Street Journal

Remembering olden times gone is something I do just about every day, even though there is nothing really great in them. It's relative, as there is nothing better going on now, nor will there be later. So, I cannot say that New Year's celebrations do anything for me. I don't feel more nostalgic and weepy. In truth, I'm usually feeling annoyed at the fireworks in the neighborhood, and at the fact that we have so many damn holidays, with these three big ones coming so close together - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year - all shouting "loser!" Thank god the birthday is some months away. Well, maybe there is something to be said for getting it all over with at once.

I don't suppose this has been a cup of cheer, bah humbug. But I do sincerely wish all those who wander tbrough here a happy new year, and I mean it. After all, sentiment is cheap and I can afford it, heh. And I mean well.