"Auld Lang Syne"...what on earth does it mean?

At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve for many years I have listened to, or more frighteningly, tried to sing "Auld Lang Syne", accompanied by other tone deaf souls. I have come to the conclusion that it is only sung once a year by inebriated people because no one, including me, knows the lyrics beyond the first stanza. If this doesn't apply to you, my apologies, but for the sake of the rest of us, I decided to find and publish the lyrics below, courtesy of Wikipedia:

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 us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Now that we know the actual lyrics, what on earth do they mean and why do we sing them to herald in a new year? Again, Wikipedia provided handy information. The lyrics are taken from a Robert Burns poem that is presumed to be his adaptation of an old Scottish folk song. Guy Lombardo is credited with popularizing "Auld Lang Syne" to bring in the New Year in the Americas. The custom has spread throughout the world; wherever English speaking expatriots have settled, which of course is just about every where.

Why that particular song? I think I finally understand its appeal. It is a call to renew old, dear friendships from "old long since" the literal translation of "auld lang syne", and perhaps an opportunity to shed a tipsy tear or two for those loved, and now irrepairably lost to us.

In 2009, I had the great pleasure of reconnecting with many people that I knew in my younger years. A sweetheart of a man who was a member of the first graduating class at Providence Day School has informally spear-headed an effort to reunite us on Facebook. Though high school was not the all-time favorite period of my life, it has been fascinating to learn where and how everyone has spent the intervening years. I have enjoyed getting reacquainted virtually with some of those folks, who are spread all over the U.S. and beyond. The internet really is an amazing tool for locating and communicating with people.

Others reunions have been in person, which is even more rewarding. I "found" a friend that I had not seen in years. She lives just down the road in Columbia, S.C. I was her bridesmaid in 1982 and now she and her husband are the parents of a beautiful son, who I am anxious to meet. In 2009 I combined business with pleasure by staying at the homes of several old friends when I traveled to Maryland and New Jersey for my job. It was great to catch up and be a part of their families for a short while. I also "crashed" (though I swear I was invited) the South Mecklenburg Class of 1979 reunion party at Village Tavern. (My husband, who is a bigger knucklehead them I am, wore a fake name tag and kept calling out "Jimmy", while waving at imaginary friends in the crowd.)

This New Year's night, Bill and I had an impromptu dinner party. Among our guests were two gals I worked with in the 80s and their spouses. One of the couples lives near Miami. They were in town vising a very nice couple from Statesville, who also attended our little soiree. I also befriended our seventh guest early in my 20 year career in the travel industry. I love him dearly because he still calls me "Slim" and remembers when I really was. Bill and I cooked a complicated Beef Bourguignon Recipe that was a labor of love. One of the women shared some old photos taken at our office from back in the day. We laughed at those pictures and the memories they provoked (and I marveled at the bigness of my hair and the smallness of my behind.) We talked about what our lives were like now and touched on some of those experiences. Though time had changed so much, I was glad to realize how fundamentally unchanged we all were on the inside. It was one of those perfect spontaneous evenings when the food and the company combine into something truly memorable and we all said, "Why don't we do this more often?" The answer hung in the air, unspoken; "Because we're busy."

I've made a lot of New Year's resolutions in my time. I have even succeeded in keeping a few of them. Most of them have been the usual self-improving variety. (I swear I have lost the same 10 pounds a hundred times, which means I've lost 1000 pounds.) Though I am still highly imperfect, I am no longer focused on looking younger, being thinner or getting richer. It has been my experience that none of those things makes people any happier (not to mention they get harder and harder to achieve.) This year I am making only one promise to myself. Instead of vowing to re-lose that recurring 10 pounds, I will re-connect with all the people that I hold dear during 2010. If you think you may be on my list, consider yourself fairly warned and start checking your "busy" calendar for availability. As to those of you that I love and see frequently...don't think I am going to leave you alone either.

"Should auld aquaintance be forgot?" I think not. Happy New Year to you all!