For Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne

For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne

We two have run about the hills
And gathered up flowers fine
We’ve wandered many a weary foot
Since auld lang syne

We two have sported in the brook
From morning sun till dine
But the seas between us have roared and swelled
Since auld lang syne

For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne
The seas between us have roared and swelled
Since auld lang syne

So here is a hand my trusted friend
And give me your hand of thine
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Robert Burns – Loosely Translated

This week we conducted the holiday version of the quarterly “Laundry Party”. I think I have discussed this before but just in case, these events involve and me and several other notables (all burned-out city managers) gathering together to drink beer in our laundry room. Of course, the Holiday Laundry Party is our formal event of the year. (I bring a meat and cheese tray and we convene in our downstairs family room by the fireplace.) You may imagine that there is more involved but there is not. Well, actually there IS a lot more going on. I so look forward to these times of fellowship with people that I have known for most of my career. We can talk about city-manager-things, but we mostly have moved past that to genuine fellowship – our future plans, our families, what matters in life.

After the meeting this week, I couldn’t get this song out of my head. Most often people hear a shortened anglicized version of the poem written by Burns. And I must confess that when I read the original poem which was written in the Scots dialect of English, I struggle a bit. But I came across the above translation sung by James Taylor which for me is so much better and I think it captures what Burns was trying to say. For sure I know it captures what I would like to say to YOU, all of my friends and loved ones, for auld lang syne.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!