Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon; The flames of Love extinguished, and fully past and gone: Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine; That thou canst never once reflect On old long syne.
This is the first verse of James Watson’s 1711 Old Long Syne poem. However, “Auld Lang Syne is a hard song to memorize.” “As a result, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, millions of people around the world will try to fake their way through the lyrics,” among other things. Especially this year. Seems like an extended version of last year.
“Robert Burns wrote his “Auld Lang Syne” version (the one that we’ve all come to know or at least kind of know) in 1788 and published it in 1796.” Who knew it was that old? “The first known recording of the expression came about more than a century earlier.” “The final day of the year is an apt time for looking back at the day’s past.” “That makes the theme and gist of “Auld Lang Syne” ripe for seasonal use.” “Still doesn’t fully explain why a centuries-old Scottish folk song became such a New Year’s Eve hit song in America.”
What are your resolutions? “In addition to practice singing Auld Lang Syne, there’s a variety of helpful New Year’s related commands that you can ask Alexa.” “These include an Alexa New Year’s Eve countdown, jokes, and even a bar locator.” That doesn’t sound entirely helpful. Maybe you’ll prefer the traditional methods for making resolutions.
“You need to get a head start with this tradition.” “If you want a famous New Year’s Baby, then plan on conceiving 9 months in advance.” Set a google reminder for April, maybe March, plan ahead. “A New Year Tree is a fun excuse to decorate a non-religious tree to help celebrate the New Year.” “The tradition is very popular in several areas of the world.” Just to be on the safe side of etiquette and cultural awareness, after Christmas, compliment the New Year Tree. I’ve seen golden trees, trees entirely decorated with ornamental Monarch butterflies, and trees adorned all with red cardinals. I must confess, some of the most beautiful creations come out from a dismal beginning. This reminds me to keep hopeful for the New Year is right around the corner.
Movies are a perfect old year slash new year activity or tradition to lose the time. “Ghostbusters II (1989): When the Ghostbusters get trapped by Vigo on New Year’s Eve, it’s up to the citizens of New York City to free them with positive energy by singing the New Year’s Eve song, “Auld Lang Syne”.” For my tradition, since 2009, the Hangover franchise has made out with the old in with the new, tickle my funny bone and lighten up my mood, good ritual. Stay on the bright side of life!
Champagne, noise makers, glitter, gunfire (olden days fired muskets), ball-dropping, before Seacrest-out was Dick Clark in, and confetti are all New Year’s Eve staples”, indeed.” “But, in some parts of the country and the world, so are black-eyed peas, lentils, grapes and pickled herring.” Hopefully not all in the same meal, or maybe considered great luck in consumables? “Some correlate the black-eyed peas shape to coins (other traditions include eating 12 peas (swap for grapes in Spain) on New Year’s, one for each month, for good luck), while the greens signify money and cornbread stands for gold.” “The dish was likely linked to New Year’s celebrations because enslaved Africans (“Originated in the United States in the 19th century, most notably in the South Carolina Low Country) prepared and ate it during a period when they had some rare time off from harvesting and planting.”
For my tradition, thanks to my awesome father-in-law, tamales are the fan favorite this time of year. “Tamales, those bundles of masa stuffed with meat, wrapped in corn husks and steamed, have come to symbolize family, as generations often gather in the kitchen to make the labor-intensive food that will be eaten all holiday season long.” “In Mexico, that spans from December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to January 6, Three Kings’ Day.” “Tamales date to 8000 to 5000 B.C. and Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and Aztecs.” To this day, we’ll be making our way to the famous Rosarita’s, for her amazing, delectable concoctions or edible pockets full of love for luck and health into the New Year and forevermore.
“Your New Year’s Eve toast doesn’t have to be with Champagne, Prosecco, or sparkling white wine.” “Here are some more traditional New Year’s Eve drinks to consider for your midnight toast:” “Mulled Wine: This traditional drink from Holland is usually served during Christmas and New Year’s holidays.” “It includes red wine, mulling spices, raisins, and is served warm.” This one doesn’t sound so bad. “Wassail: A spiked English cider with Old English roots that often includes brandy or sherry and apples.” I’m not shying away. “Hot Pint: This traditional Scottish drink includes beer, nutmeg, eggs, sugar, whiskey and is served warm or hot.” Lost me at the eggs. I’m not keen for drinking raw matter, but I’ve got plenty of cousins who wouldn’t mind the latter. More aptly consider this a protein shake. Either way after one too many the New Year all of a sudden; looks much brighter and cheerier.
“There’s an old saying in the Farmer’s Almanac that says, “Kiss the person you hope to keep kissing.” “Good advice for both old and new couples.” “Personally, this is one of my favorite New Year’s traditions,” and a vital necessity for ushering love and luck through the threshold of the upcoming year. “Founded in 1818, the Farmers’ Almanac mixes a blend of long-range weather predictions, humor, fun facts, and advice on gardening, cooking, fishing, conservation, and other topics.” “The Farmers’ Almanac will only state publicly that their method is an “exclusive mathematical and astronomical formula, that relies on sunspot activity, tidal action, planetary position (astrology) and many other (curious and elusive) factors”.” “The Almanac’s forecaster is referred to by the pseudonym Caleb Weatherbee.” According to Wikipedia. You can go online and be like me, one of the million followers or so on every social media site these days and well into the next few. It’s good to seal this wish in a kiss for good fortune and fertile lands of bliss.
For whatever reason, people view resolutions as somber and dreadful. Here’s why: Eat healthier, eat less, increase exercise, or start exercising (especially having a desk job). (Brings us back to another resolution) find a new job, make more money, spend less, save more, learn a new skill, quit something considered “bad”, spend time with family, read more, and believe you me, we are back to the end all over again. We’ll need the polar bear plunge tradition to break this cycle of repeat offenses. Stuck in a perpetual loop of unpleasant expectations. A hibernation is what we’ll need for the nation! Too late this pandemic is a storm that hasn’t ended. However, bleak, I always try and keep a sunny streak!
I believe you don’t need to know the lyrics and good luck trying to memorize them; the song’s tone speaks volumes. My New Year tradition for as long as I could remember, was to awaken on New Year’s Day while the world was still sleeping. I drove the empty freeway to my grandmother’s house, and we spent the day reminiscing. Reason being, one New Year’s Eve while on my way to a Tesla concert, a car veered into my lane and straight at me. I had to swerve quickly and went over a sidewalk, and small grassy knoll to escape from sure collision. Bad moon rising was playing on the radio. The following year, the same exact occurrence with the same song on the radio, minus the concert. Didn’t go out on New Year’s Eve after that and made that bad moon rising song an omen for a heads up. Especially on New Year’s Eve!
I have high hopes for the road ahead and much more purpose this coming spin around. I wish I had more assurance for the future and that everything will be better than before. I see many good people trying to revert back to old ways that never contributed or benefited them in the first place. I reckon an open mind will create better options or at the very least, better views to gander. We’ve definitely lost many this year and I know that’s weighing heavy for most. More the reason to connect with each other by virtual hand to virtual heart. I know there’s a beating drum behind every keyboard. Warm and happy wishes to you and yours.
“So, what’s the meaning of Auld Lang Syne?” “Basically, don’t forget the past.” “Take a moment to buy your friends a drink, or a “cup o’ kindness“, and remember their friendship and the times you’ve had together over the years.” For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
Thank you for spending time on your Holiday with me and safe travels, God speed! Hope to see you soon and we have much to explore the following months of more. Ghost stories and traditions to pine and mull over. Oh, mulberry smells so good and the pie ever so scrumptious to consume. Cars, trains, planes, and things that have washed up on shore, of course. We’ll talk more about history, music, recipes, January, and haunted journeys, for sure!
Beyond Sirius Sea 