Notes from the Pond by Sheila Dobbie

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 This is New Year ’s Eve and around the world people will stand together at the stroke of midnight and sing a melancholy song that, on the surface, makes absolutely no sense—Auld Lang Syne.

The title, Auld Lang Syne, literally means “old long since” or, “long, long ago”. Therefore, the first line of the song which says “for auld lang syne” is loosely translated as “for the sake of old times.

Auld Lang Syne is an old Scottish poem attributed to Robert Burns who copied down the ancient poem and probably elaborated upon it and then set it to the tune of an old Scottish folksong. It is a tribute to old friends and good times should they never be forgotten.

As 2010 fades away and we go into the unknown future of 2011, I now take a moment to remember all my friends and family and hope we never forget the good times we have had. I offer you a toast and we will drink a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.

Here is hoping all of you reading this will have a happy and healthy new year.