Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy New Year!





I grew up listening to James Taylor. When I was 17 in 1970 his album Sweet Baby James was and still very much is a timeless mainstay of comfort for me.  His music shaped my messed up adolescence and is directly tied to my feelings and memories. He was always the one constant in my life, as many other musicians were and still are.

 Whenever I listen to James Taylor's soft melodic voice, his lyrics and sweet guitar styling, I'm drawn back to those places of my heart's remembrances, and always feel comfort, no matter what's going on in my life, andl so easy to be in love with, even now I feel the same after all these years, especially because of his gentle, genuine and humble spirit.

 Early in the wee hours of this morning I heard, I think for the first time that I can remember, James Taylor's version of Old Lang Syne. This commonly sung New Year's song I've mostly had ambivalent feelings towards but when I listen to James Taylor's interpretation, my feelings dramatically change. He has a way of singing from the heart that deeply touches and transforms the soul. He's just one of those gifted musicians that could probably sing the phone book and make it sound good.


Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae run about the braes,
An pou'd the gowans fine
But we've wander'd mony a weary fitt,
Sin' auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd,
Sin auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
Songwriters: BURNS, ROBERT/STOTHART, HERBERT/WARD, EDWARD



2 comments:

thesycamoretree said...

May 2017 bring you plenty of joy and the courage and calm to meet any challenges!

Unknown said...

Thank you Bev. Wishing for you all the pleasures and blessings of each present moment in 2017 and beyond. Thank you for your generous friendship and wisdom <3