We had a lovely New Year’s Eve this year! And I hope that everyone reading this did too!
First we went to Anchorage Downtown Partnerships Fire and Ice Celebration. It was packed! I’ve never seen that many people downtown before, and it was fun to sing along, off-key, to a rendition of “Living on a Prayer.” Despite the crowd, we still managed to run into friends and find my parents just in time to watch the fireworks.
Next we caught a ride to my in-laws’ annual shindig and rang in the new year singing along to “Auld Lang Syne,” which is my favorite way to end an old year and begin a new one. Throw in a kiss and slow dance with my husband, a glass of something sparkly, a sparkler or two (which I forgot this year!), and something festive to wear on my head (sequins and feathers? Forgot those too!) and my NYE celebration is complete.
I never really know the words to the song though, beyond “Should old acquaintance be forgot….and auld lang syne.” That’s about as far as I get, despite loving the song. So, here are the lyrics if you happen to be like me!
Auld Lang Syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
While looking for the lyrics online (the lyrics I’m sharing are from the Huffington Post), I checked out the Wikipedia entry. Did you know that Matthew Fitt (Scottish poet and novelist) uses “In the days of auld lang syne” in place of “Once upon a time…” when he retells fairy tales in the Scots language? For some reason I love that…this and more interesting bits of history can be found here: Wikipedia: Auld Lang Syne.
Happy new year everyone, and cheers to 2013!
