Saturday, December 12, 2009

Auld Lang Syne

I have always been a sucker for the song "Auld Lang Syne." I'm not quite sure why. I have shed more than a few tears listening to that song or even singing it on New Year's Eve.


Auld Lang Syne is a toast to people and times of long ago. I love toasts. (Heck, I love champagne. I've told you about that love of champagne here.) What is not to love about toasting the people and times that have shaped us?

Several versions of "Auld Lang Syne" have become favorites. Kenny G did a version at the end of the last century. His beautiful playing was mixed with video newscasts of headline moments. It is about 8 minutes long and very haunting. When you have time, click on his name to view it. You won't regret it.

When the movie Sex and the City came out, my favorite part of the movie was the New Year's Eve montage. The version of "Auld Lang Syne" was one I had not heard before. The artist is Mairi Campbell. The way she sings the song made me love "Auld Lang Syne" even more. And again, the only way I know how to describe this version is haunting. No video, but if you click on her name, you can hear the beautiful voice of Campbell. And you won't forget it.

My newest favorite of this song is by Straight No Chaser. You can enjoy this talented group of guys singing "Auld Lang Syne" a cappella by clicking on their name. They are amazing: No instrumentals, just pure vocal talent. I heard them last night in concert, kind of an early Christmas present for our family. They were incredible. Every song was near perfection, and I loved them all. Of course, which song was my favorite? "Auld Lang Syne."

To use the word haunting to describe this song seems appropriate. Maybe it is the long ago times that haunt us; the people from our past who stay with us forever. The older I get, the more I appreciate the days gone by and the people near and dear to me, even though some are only near in memory.

"Raise a cup of kindness yet, for Auld Lang Syne." I'll toast to that.

5 comments:

Shannon said...

Thanks for the blog comments lately. So appreciated. I didn't realize you had done a post about your ornaments too. How funny. They do get me all nostalgic though. Auld Lang Syne. I just know that Dan Folgelberg has that song Same Auld Lang Syne and even though I think it is a bit cheesy and dramatic, I always listen to the end and it makes me sad - but I like the sax solo.

Julie M. Lucas said...

That song always brings tears to my eyes, especially when watching Sex and the City because of what is going on - I totally feel like Miranda. This year will be my first in 11 without champagne. :(

Mari Mansourian said...

i can just see you with a champagne in hand singing :)

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