I was reading the latest issue of Smithsonian magazine early this morning when I stumbled upon an article at the back about Robert Burns, the Scots poet. The piece mentions that he wrote the words for the popular song Auld Lang Sine and gave a web site for learning more. I think that for many of us, whatever our cultural background, the tune and words evoke thoughts of our own times gone by especially as we grow older and look back at old friends and places now but memories. Where is Ralph going with this?: a paddling connection in that old song. Like many of you, I never knew all the words of the verses, just the chorus or hum along. But all of it is at this URL: http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues01/mar01/aldengl.html We two have paddled in the burn [Stream], >From morning sun till dine, But seas between us broad have roared, Since old lang syne. Remember that verse and sing it the next time the tune strikes up. saludos to all, ralph diaz BTW, lang syne means at a distant time in the past. In 1793 Burns explained his inspiration. It was an "old song of the olden times...which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript, until I took it down from an old man' s singing." Expressing his appreciation for the old lyrics, Burns asked that "Light be the turf on the breast of the heaven-inspired Poet who composed this glorious Fragment." -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Feb 24 2001 - 06:38:51 PST
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