Last Night / Auld Lang Syne
Sing a Song to Celebrate the Last Night of the Year
Photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash
Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote down the lyrics for “Auld Lang Syne” in1788 and claimed that they came from “an old man’s singing.” He may have heard other poems and folk songs with similar words or meanings. Since traditional folk songs were transmitted from one generation to another and from one place to another through the oral tradition, Burns was building on what he had heard.
Similarly Noel and his friend George Emlen were acting in the folk tradition when they created a lyric and counterpoint melody as a musical complement to “Auld Lang Syne.” Their version of “Last Night / Auld Lang Syne,” accompanied by Michael McInnis on synthed saxophone/keyboard,* is a song that invites memories of good times with old friends—not just in the past year, but throughout our lives— and anticipation of new friends in the years to come.
*We have corrected this sentence, which in the original attibuted the saxophone part to Paul Winter.
Connections:
Read about the history and meaning of “Auld Lang Syne” in the December 2024 Country Living Magazine.
Vibrations:
Enjoy “Last Night / Auld Lang Syne.”
P.S. from Jeanne
Today (December 30, 2024) Noel turns 87. Please join me in wishing him a happy birthday filled with joy, peace, and love.
Since we published “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” a reader requested that we provide the audio of Mary reading the poem, and we have. You can find it in the Vibrations portion of our December 24th post.
Happy birthday, Noel Paul! Thanks for a lifetime of beautiful music. Over 55 years ago, I bought a PP&M book with tablature and taught myself fingerpicking style. It changed my musical life and gave me a lifetime of musical self-expression. PP&M's performance at the 1963 March on Washington taught me the power of music for social justice. And now, your sharing of spirituality is a source of reflection and inspiration for me. You are a significant part of my life-long learning adventure!
You, Patti Smith, and I, all celebrate another spin around the universe today. Can’t think of better company to share a birthday with. Blessings.