To You and Yours

What with differing time zones its difficult to judge a time to post a New Year's greeting. Given that Sheila's in Australia, Bev's in India, Jack's in Beijing and Kev's in Vancouver - covers most time zones - I thought I better get it posted now. Being a tradionalist I want to toast you all in Robbie Burn's old New Year's Anthem.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old times since ?

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

Robbie Burns - 1788

Perhaps for the first time I understood the words of the fourth verse - we are separated by broad seas from so many of our dear friends and family and we miss them all.

Along with a Scottish song I give all of you an old Irish wish that my mother always spoke on New Year's Eve:

My one true wish for you and yours
Is all you wish yourself.

Buon anno - Happy New Year's - Bonne année