Reflections On Friends: “Auld Lang Syne” or Those Times Gone By

The other day I asked Siri, what does the Scottish term Auld Lang Syne literally translate to? The answer I got back was “The phrase “auld lang syne” translates literally to “old long since” in English and means something akin to “times gone by.” 

I got to thinking about the traditional New Years Eve song adapted from a Robert Burns Poem and thought how ironic it was to be so prominent in light of my recent “Road Trip” with my old and dear friend Tom Marks. 

Although there are many verses and versions of the song, the most widely known version addresses the question should our old friends be forgotten? Especially in light of the days that have gone by. 

Should old acquaintance be forgot 

And never brought to mind? 

Should old acquaintance be forgot 

In the days of auld lang syne? 

The answer seems obvious in as much that the writer suggests that we drink a cup of “kindness” interpreted as a toast to our friends if for no other reason the times that we shared in the past. 

For auld lang syne, my dear 

For auld lang syne 

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet 

For the sake of auld lang syne.

And the poem goes on to describe the tumultuous relationships and absences associated with most friendships and that brings me to my point. 

My father used to say that you are lucky if you have one good friend in your life time. I’ve thought about that for nearly 70 years and I know this for a fact. If you want a friend you need to be a friend! 

Friendships require work, like a garden they need to be cultivated and like the plants in your garden they need to be tended, cared for, and loved. You need to take the time to know who your friends are and they need to know you. 

So maybe instead of resolving to lose weight, clean the garage, or exercise more often, we should resolve to look up an old friend and renew an old acquaintance and never let it be forgotten if for no other reason then Old Lang Syne 

Should old acquaintance be forgot 

And never brought to mind? 

Should old acquaintance be forgot I

n the days of auld lang syne? 

For auld lang syne, my dear 

For auld lang syne 

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet 

For the sake of auld lang syne 

And surely, you will buy your cup 

And surely, I'll buy mine! 

We'll take a cup of kindness yet 

For the sake of auld lang syne 

We two who've paddled in the stream 

From morning sun 'til night 

The seas between us roared and swelled 

Since the days of auld lang syne 

For old acquaintance be forgot 

And never brought to mind 

Should old acquaintance be forgot 

For the sake of auld lang syne? 

For old acquaintance be forgot 

And never brought to mind 

Should old acquaintance be forgot 

In the days of auld lang syne? 

For auld lang syne, my dear 

For auld lang syne. 

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet 

For the sake of auld lang syne.