Duration: 1st January – 31st January 2020
Number of books: 7
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection
As much as I love “Auld Lang Syne” it does make me feel a bit sad. I’ve chosen two recordings for your listening enjoyment while completing this challenge – Mairi Campbell and The Tenors.
7/7 Complete
1. Robert Burns wrote the words to “Auld Lang Syne” in 1788, although he himself attributes some of the verses to lots of old Scottish folk songs that had never previously been written down. He meant the words to be sung to a folk tune called Roud #1694.
🏴 Read a book of poetry (must be 150+ pages) OR read a book that involves music in some way; tell us how. – The Poetry of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson
2. “Auld Lang Syne” roughly translates to “for old times’ sake.” The song is all about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year. It evokes a sense of belonging and fellowship, tinged with nostalgia.
🏴 Reread one of your favorite books OR read a book about long ago friends reuniting. – A Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell
3. It is a much-loved Scottish tradition to sing the song just before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Everyone stands in a circle holding hands, then at the beginning of the final verse (‘And there’s a hand my trusty friend’) they cross their arms across their bodies so that their left hand is holding the hand of the person on their right, and their right hand holds that of the person on their left.
🏴 Read a book whose cover shows a circle or a pair of hands; post the cover OR read a book that takes place in Scotland. – To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands
4. The song has become a New Year’s tradition in countries the world over. Not only is the song sung on New Year’s but it may be sung at funerals, graduations, or any ceremony of leaving or ending. The international Scouting movement ends a jamboree with “Auld Lang Syne.”
🏴 Read a book in which any type of special occasion is being celebrated; tell us what OR read a book in which a funeral takes place. – If Ever I Should Love You by Cathy Maxwell (marriage / wedding)
5. There are a total of five verses and the English version varies slightly from the original Scottish version. Though ‘auld’ gets translated as ‘old’ in the first verse, the chorus leaves the original ‘auld’ in place.
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.
II
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
III
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
IV
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
Chorus
V
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
🏴 Read a book that has been translated; tell us the original and the translated language OR read a book that has a “5” in its original publication year; tell us the year. – Perfect for the Beach by Lori Foster, Janelle Denison, et al. (2005)
6. The tune to which “Auld Lang Syne” is sung is much disputed over who actually wrote it, and it is not the Roud #1694 to which Burns originally set it (but it’s close). The Scots traditionally sing the song at a much faster tempo than Americans associate with the melody. George M. Cohen deliberately borrowed the first line for one of his versus of “You’re a Grand Old Flag” (But should auld acquaintance be forgot, Keep your eye on the grand old flag.)
🏴 Read a book that seems to flow exceptionally fast or exceptionally slow; tell us which OR read a book that mentions or refers to another book within its text; tell us the book being referenced. – Tarnished Knight by Bec McMaster
7. “Auld Lang Syne” has been recorded multiple times by multiple artists. Guy Lombardo with his Royal Canadians performed it in 1939 on New Year’s Eve. He is often credited with popularizing the song in United States. Lombardo’s version is played in NYC’s Times Square immediately after the huge ball drops.
🏴 Read a book by a Canadian author; be sure to post the author link OR read a book that takes place in New York City. – The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
Earth and Skye 