Happy happy!!

2011 is going away and 2012 will be here to stay (at least until the next full revolution around our Sun).  It is customary for those celebrating this common celestial occurrence to have a glass of champagne (or beverage of choice) and sing a tune called Auld Lang Syne at the turning of the clock.  You know the melody.  You hear it every New Year's Eve, if you stay up late enough, or if you've ever watched any TV program or movie that has any sort of plot centering around the changing of the years.

Auld Lang Syne, lyrically, is based on a poem written by Scotsman Robert Burns in 1788.  The melody is a traditional folk tune.  The words can very generally be translated as: "old long since" or "long, long ago."  Basically, the song rhetorically asks whether or not we should forget the past and reminds us to remember our good friendships.  Which reminds me of something:  You know the end of the movie It's A Wonderful Life, where the town turns out to help George Bailey in his time of need?  Well, everybody starts singing Auld Lang Syne, and inscribed in a copy of Tom Sawyer, from Clarence the Angel: No man is a failure who has friends.

The song is sung all over the world for many different events, but usually in a context of farewell or remembrance.

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.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.