After a year like 2020, with all its ups and downs and all arounds, I am sure all of us can use “a right gude-willie waught” about now. In fact, I can’t imagine a better song to sing at this moment, to celebrate this arbitrary milestone in time while saying goodbye to “auld lang syne”. This tune has its roots in Scotland, where I also have, so I don’t think my ancestors will mind the few liberties I took with the lyrics. The poem is generally attributed to the Scottish poet, Robert Burns and popularized here in North America by the famous Canadian big band leader, Guy Lombardo, who played it every year for twenty years at the end of his New Year’s special. But enough music history. The clock is ticking! Before stepping over the threshold, I want to briefly look back and acknowledge the many of you who supported the satsangs this year. It was a great project in so many ways, one that kept me connected with myself and others in meditation — and kept me in halfway, decent musical shape! Now, without further adieu, I wish all of you a very Happy New Year 2021!

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns (with a few tweaks by me)

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And old lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my friends
For auld lang syne
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne

O’re meadows green, we’ve walked these hills
And picked the daisies fine
We’ve wandered many wondrous miles
In days of auld lang syne

We’ve paddled, you and I, this stream
From morning sun till dine
The seas between us broad have roared
Since days of auld lang syne

Here take this hand, my loving friends,
And give me your hands, too
Let’s tak’ a right gude-willie waught
For auld lang syne

Let’s lift a glass to life and love
And laughter n’re forget
And toast the moment, here and now
And the days of Auld Lang Syne