Auld Lang Syne: Nobody Does it Better Than the Royal Scottish Dragoons

The New Year is fast approaching and that means it's time to get ready for Auld Lang Syne, the poem set to music which reminds us that we need to remember our past as we strive into the future.  Robert Burns, the Scottish poet of the late 1700s, took an earlier poem, significantly modified and added to it to produce the current version which was put to the music of an old, traditional Scottish tune.  It's an appropriate tribute to use as part of our ringing in of the New Year.

Most of us have heard the timeless Guy Lombardo Orchestra version associated with the dropping of the ball and other such traditional events, but there is not rendition in this humble writer's opinion than that offered by the bagpiper corps of the Royal Scottish Dragoons.  Maybe it's because I am of Scottish heritage, or maybe it's because I associate it with the video version showing the beauty of the Scottish Highlands as the pipers play, but I get a tear in my eye every year at this time when I watch and listen to it.  It is a touching rendition and I truly love it.

Here's the link to the presentation found on Utube; I hope you'll listen to it and that it touches you as it does me. You may have to copy and paste it into your browser to view. In any event, it's a great part of the New Year's celebration and may you all have a blessed and prosperous 2017. 

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&p=royal+scottish+dragoons+auld+land+syne#id=1&vid=b3cc5d09ab4e15d8b0cd559e34c7a8a9&action=click     

Here are the words in minimalist English (closest to the original Scots' wording) if you are at a function where they play the tune and you want to sing along:
                                                          

 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 me a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

                 HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

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