Old Long Since

I lost a friend about twenty years ago. It was because I gave unsolicited advice. No matter if I was right or not, it didn’t matter. I gave unsolicited advice and it broke apart our friendship for years. We mended it about eight years ago, patched it up as best we could, made peace, offered forgiveness. I showed up to her father’s funeral, she attended my mother’s wake. But so much time had passed. Her children grew up. Our lives changed and matured. The seas between us have roared and swelled. For her, my “trusty friend,” I raise a cup of kindness. For you, too.

It’s the best version of a song sung at the end of the year.

“Auld Lang Syne”  Kate Taylor
A new translation of the ballad “Old Long Since,” a poem by National Poet Robert (“Robbie”) Burns written in 1792 from a Scottish folk song of the 1680s.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne

For auld lang syne
for auld lang syne
should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne

We two have run about the hills
and gathered flowers fine
we wandered many a weary foot
since auld lang syne

We two have sported in the brook
from morning sun til dine
but seas between us have roared and swelled
since auld lang syne

For auld lang syne
for auld lang syne
the seas between us have roared and swelled
since auld lang syne

And here’s a hand my trusty friend
and give a hand of thine
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne

For auld lang syne
for auld lang syne
we’ll take a cup of kindness
for auld lang syne

Credits:

Lyrical adaptation by Charles H. Witham
Kate Taylor:  vocal and guitar
musical arrangement by James Taylor

© Devil’s Bridge Music BMI, katetaylor.com