If you sang For Auld Lang Syne last night, you should thank the 18th Century Scots Poet Robert Burns for the lyrics.

“Auld Lang Syne” is a Scots phrase meaning “old long since,” or more poetically, “for old time’s sake,” referring to times long past and cherished friendships, with the song urging us to remember old acquaintances and share a cup of kindness for those bygone days. The phrase combines Scots words for “old” (auld), “long” (lang), and “since” (syne).” Google ai

On = January 1, I always start my new year with a session of listening to Eddi Reader sing some of Burns’ poems which became Scottish folk songs. I would think that every adult American is familiar with his famous For Auld Lang Syne, but Burns, who died at the age of 37, penned several fabulous poems and/or lyrics.

On one such New Year’s listening session, I discovered Eddi Reader’s version of My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose, and while I listened to her singing that song, I painted what I heard.

The Last Rose of Summer – Jacki Kellum Watercolor
Sold

I painted The Last Rose in New Jersey and showed it on Facebook. Immediately, an old home friend messaged me that he would like to buy that original. Oddly, he gave the painting to one of his old friends [sweetheart?]. Now, both of those people have died. The day that I painted Last Rose, I was also feeling old and over–but I have rallied for another day or two in Mississippi since–but I well remember my friends in New Jersey. Even thought I realize I’ll never see any of them again, I remember , , ,

The song Auld Lang Syne is a funeral song, meant to be sung as a goodbye. Some might believe that a funeral song is not appropriate for New Year’s Eve parties, but I think that a funeral song is appropriate, but I disagree. On New Year’s Eve, we send the past year on its way–knowing that after midnight, we would be greeting a new year.

As I sit here on another New Year’s morning, I realize that this is a perfect time for me to honor all of the people and traditions of my past [For Auld Lang Syne] as I enthusiastically embrace today and what’s ahead. At midnight on Christmas Eve, we kiss the one beside us–sealing a fond relationship for the journey ahead. With that, I’ll share another poem by Robert Burns:

Among other things, Robert Burns was one of the leaders of the Romantic period of literature, and Romantic literature was my area of specialization in college. As I researched Robert Burns, I learned that his birthday is celebrated in literary circles all around the world. For years, I have wanted to host a Burns Day party, and this year, I have landed in a perfect studio that is also an event space. This year, I’ll host a Robert Burns Birthday Celebration at Jacki Kellum Studios. Until then, Ae Fond Kiss for Auld Lang Syne.