Last year I left seriousness behind in a parody post for Christmas Eve. This year’s holiday post is a bit of a parody too but I was in a more serious mood while writing it and it came out much less silly. I could almost imagine singing this. So with apologies to the great Robert Burns-
The Genealogist’s Auld Lang Syne
Should auld relations be forgot,
and simply left behind?
Should auld relations be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
We’ll find those tattered records yet,
for auld lang syne.
And you will find great-grandpa soon,
and surely I’ll find mine,
We’ll stand at Ellis Island yet,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have sought among the tomes,
and sifted clues so fine ;
But we’ve squandered just as many hints,
since auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have wandered ‘twixt the graves,
from morn to past our time,
And read these many a weathered stone,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
And here’s my tale of bygone days,
and give us a tale o’ thine!
We’ll ponder all their myst’ries, dear,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
Footnote
“Auld lang syne” means “old long since” or, less literally but more meaningfully, “bygone days.” Happy New Year and good luck with your “auld lang syne.”