Family gathered in a circle, arms crossed and hands clasped together. Frantically we assemble as the anticipation builds… 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – “Happy New Year!” …and then the room breaks into song, “Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind…”
Auld Lang Syne
Scottish Traditional (Robert Burns)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
sin auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
Modern
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld 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 hills,
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
This poem was written with a friend from my teenage years in mind. I remember when we were heading out for the evening her father remind her of this lesson. If she found herself in a compromising situation, she held the upper hand and could outrun a guy with his pants wrapped around his ankles.
Lessons for Daughters
Be wary of the suitor, Whose fancy you do tickle. It’s your virtue he’ll purloin, Then bolt off like a scoundrel. He’ll talk sweet ‘n try to woo you, And beg you for a sample. If you find yourself in peril, All caught up in a pickle. Remember, you’ll outrun him, Once his pants are ’round the ankle.
Carbon floods the atmosphere, Blankets the cerulean veil. Oceans, rainforests exploited, Industrial Man, tipping the scale. Smothered and left gasping, Mother Earth’s lungs begin to fail. Rush headlong towards extinction, Forsaken and unable to exhale.
Driving down the road 🛣️ Minding my own business When buddy flips me the bird 🦜 I know free verse don’t rhyme But this guy’s a real turd 💩 With my ego now bruised My brain explodes 💥 And my senses go blind What’s this clown’s 🤡 Problem anyway Step on the gas ⛽ I weave through the rush My window recessed 🪟 As I pull up to your ride I start waving my fist 👊 Rhyme a curse at the lady inside Don’t call the cops 🚓 That’s not meant for you
I got the wrong car 🚗 Mistaken identity I swear I’m totally raging 🤬 As I punch it again Blast past a school bus 🚌 This rhyming is insane I catch a glimpse 👀 As you make the left I race through the turn 🏎️ And ‘round the bend Caught in my web 🕸 ️The thrill of pursuit gone What do I do now ❓ I take a deep breath and In a moment of zen ☯️ My road rage does pass I rhyme one last time ⌚ And realise, I’m the real ass!