Vintage Feline New Year and What Auld Lang Syne Really Means
This year we’re itching to bid farewell to 2016 or annus horribilis as many of us are calling it. The New York Times simply called it “the worst year ever”. We’re feeling nostalgic and opting for a old-fashioned Vintage Feline New Year and began wondering what Auld Lang Syne really means.
The traditional earworm of a song is familiar but I can’t recall more than a couple lines or where it originated from other than Scotland. I did some digging and there’s more to it than poet Robert Burns being credited for writing the poem in 1787. Originally it had nothing to do with New Years but sung on January 25th the celebrate Burns’ birthday. And Burns adapted it from earlier folk song dating back the 14th century. He gets credit because he was the first to publish it. The actual tune is purported to be written by composer William Shield.
The melancholy song is translated from a Scottish dialect. Auld Lang syne means “old long ago for old times sake and “we’ll take a cup of kindness yet” refers to sharing and toasting Scotch whiskey with friends. I’d like to think the cup of kindness is more than a metaphor. We could all use a big cup of compassion this year and appreciate friends old and new, near or far.
Cheers to a purrfectly Happy Mew Year and if it can’t be perfect, we can at least enjoy cats.
Did you notice what all the vintage and vintage inspired cards share in common? Most contain black cats for good luck. I love that and hope we can take that old tradition and bring it to the 21st century.
On a modern note: This is a screenshot of some of my Instagram pics of of the last year. 99% cats, what else?
You can show off your lyric skills tonight by boning up on the easier English translation of Auld Land Syne.
English translation
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.
44 Comments
Neely Dibrell
It’s hard to come by well-informed people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
MrJackFreckles/Pipo & Minko
Shucks, we are now yearning for all those good old times that we don’t wanna furget, evfur.
But its now 2017,and a new beginning fur all. Lets purr it will go well and be wonderfur fur all!
Happy New Year!!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy Mew Year to you 🙂
Maggie
I hope your 2017 will be filled to the brim with kindness, love, and health for kitties and their humans.
At New Years I always like to look back at the cats who passed through PAWS – lest old acquaintances be forgot. Thank you for giving dear Clyde a loving home!
xxoo
Maggie
Layla Morgan Wilde
What a great tradition Maggie and Clyde feels like he’s been here forever xoxox. All good things for you and yours in 2017!
Tamago
Happly new year! I hope the new year will bring lots of happiness, joy, and smile 🙂
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks so much and we wish you the same xoxox
meowmeowmans
Dang. That was one tough year we just finished. Happy New Year to you, dear pals. We are so grateful for you, and for your friendship. Here’s hoping your 2017 is filled with love, joy, peace and all good things. Hugs!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Yup, it was tough but we survived an 2017 is going to be better xoxoxo
Skeeter and Izzy
The circle of life comes round again. We suffer loss and and pain and bad things but we go on with hope and renewal in our hearts and souls.The year has ended and a new one begun and we give thanks for all that we overcame in the old one and all that we can overcome in the new one.
We wish for all peace, love , kindness, compassion, health and joy. We wish for all that their needs be met daily and that they may always be able to see,understand and count thier blessings daily.
Luvs to all,
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo and the Angels >^..^^..^<~
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks and purrs to you and the gang. 2017 is going to be better if we want it to be. xoxox
Seville at Nerissa's Life
LOVE those vintage cards!
And speakin’ of that cup of kindness. I, Seville the Cat, brought in the New Year with a nip heart. The peep, somewhat lackin’ in good taste – at least when compared to me – had Scotch.
Purrs,
Seville
Layla Morgan Wilde
Your peep has good taste 🙂 Happy Mew year xoxox
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
Happy New Year! May your year take you down whatever journey brings you the most inner peace it can. Be grateful for a new day and be grateful for new opportunities. And most of all, love yourself so you may love others. Purrs from Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy Mew year. It’s going to an interesting ride for sure! xo
Hannah and Lucy
The start of our year meant it was pouring with rain and the outlook is for more of the same.
We are so excited NOT!!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Never fear. 2017 is going to be better 🙂 Stop by on Monday for more.
Mickey's Musings
Happy New Year !
We wish you and your family lots of health,happiness,friendship and peace.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy Mew Year xoxox
ellen
May 2017 bring easier times, health for humans, health for animals, happiness for those near and far.
May your cup be overflowing with kindness throughout the year.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Ellen, anything would be easier than 2016 🙂 I wish you and yours all good things. xoxox
Lola
Happy New Year, Layla! May 2017 be a joyous one for you.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy Mew Year xoxox. Thanks for showing up at my tarot event. Talk soon xoxox
Pawesome Cats
Wishing you a very Happy New Year! ?❤?
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy Mew Year to you too!
Kathryn
I love that, and I’m a full quarter Scots, and I learned something from this.
To Auld Lang Syne!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Oh that’s right, you have Scots in ya. Happy Mew Year xoxox
Summer
My human won’t miss this year… not that she thinks the next one will be any better! At least we have some good things happening personally, but she is very worried about the rest of the world!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Have faith. Nothing is ever purrfect. Happy Mew Year xox
Connie Marie
Best wishes for 2017???
Has to be better than 2016,
Or so I hope. Black cats are special and I wish for happy homes for all. People, please realize that 2 is as easy as one!!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy Mew Year and yes, more homes for black cats xo
Cathy Keisha
Can’t say I’m looking forward to 2017. If you thought this year was horrible … May you survive 2017 with good health, prosperity and peace.
Layla Morgan Wilde
CK, 2017 is going to be year one of a new 9 year cycle. See my blog post about it at BoomerMuse. I’m very optimistic.
Flynn
Happy New Year to you. I hope 2017 will be kind to us all.
Sue Brandes
Happy New Year.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy Mew Year, Sue xoxo
The Swiss Cats
Those vintage cards are fabulous ! Happy Mew Year ! Purrs
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks, glad you enjoyed them. Happy Mew Year xoxo
Mr Puddy
love all your vintage cards
? ☆ HAPPY MEW YEAR ☆ 2017 ?
? =^x^= ?
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thank mew. I love making them every year. New Year purrrrrs to you Puddy and mom xoxo
Brian Frum
Well, it certainly wasn’t a good year for Blogville, but we’re all still here so it wasn’t that bad. Happy New Year Layla and may it bring all things good your way!
Layla Morgan Wilde
We had so many losses this year but we must move forward. Purrs for all good things in 2017! xoxo
easyweimaraner
oh to be at such a fabulous vintage kitty ball… that would be great… all the best for 2017… it’s the first year we start “without”… but we try to make the best of it… we are troopers, right?… or at least I hope we are :o)
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thank you and it will be hard at first but it’s the beginning of a very positive nine year cycle. It’s why Merlin left before it started. xoxox