As the Year Turns

I am sure you have noticed that the end of the year offers up what seems to be an excellent opportunity of increased stress and depression, which seems odd as the Holiday Season and Christmas should be a time of joy and delight. It’s a colorful time of the year, and many people extend happy greetings and a few gifts. Reflections are made, and hopes are spoken of, for the New Year. 

When we consider the fact that stress is one of the worst offenders of good health and happiness, maybe we should reconsider how and why we allow so many things to get our goat.

Charles Dickens's character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is one of my favorite end of the year people. I love his story of redemption. Ebenezer discovers the joys of life and the Holiday season. While it’s true, he was forced into it. I believe that after much reflection he freely chose to change for the better. 

As the year turns, there is a lot of reflecting going on. The singing of the song “Auld Lang Syne” is a New Year tradition.  In 1788 the song was taken down and added to as a poem written by Robert Burns. 

Over the years this Scottish song has evolved and become part of celebrating memories and a new beginning for people around the world.

It was during a recent recording of Auld Lang Syne with Country and Bluegrass singer/songwriter Wayne Taylor that he reminded me of the first nationwide live New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1929 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. It was a huge success.  

Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians were booked at the Roosevelt every year from 1929-1959 for New Year’s Eve, and Auld Lang Syne was center stage for bringing everyone together. The group would then continue the tradition at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel from 1960-1976.

The song poses practical questions, but primarily it seems to be about old friends and love. So maybe that’s one of the ways we can lower our stress levels. Focus more on people, good memories and the hopes of making more in the new year.

As the year turns and as we reflect on the past twelve months a few Carolina tears may fall, but let us all remember that as long we can read these words we have the opportunity to strive for a new year filled with hope and promise.

Here are the words to the song that has inspired millions over the years.

 

Auld Lang Syne

 

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

Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo

Roosevelt Hotel

Roosevelt Hotel