Just back from a bit of first-footing and quite a few Dalwhinnies have been downed in the last hour or two.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught
For auld lang syne.
That's the final verse of "Auld Lang Syne" and that's the point at which you should cross-link hands (and not before).
"Fiere" = "chum" or "friend" and "gude-willy waught" = "goodwill drink" or "goodwill draught", with "waught" meaning a large draught. "Auld Lang Syne" itself literally means "old long since" or "old long ago" and is taken to mean something like, "for the sake of the old times". One might suggest that the opening verse means: forget past differences and remember only the time when relationships were good. The words are generally attributed to Robert Burns but it is likely that the first verse and chorus, at least, were in the public domain back then and that Burns merely "collected" them.
Should you ever find yourself in Glasgow on Hogmanay (NewYear's Eve) and manage to get tickets for the panto at the Kings Theatre there, they have a wonderful tradition of singing "Auld Lang Syne" at the end of that particular performance,linked with the audience by thick cords from either side of the stage. It is a great start to New Year festivities.
Anyway, a splendid 2013 to one and all. Maybe we'll meet somewhere down along the road.
