The traditional Scottish drinking cup of friendship is called a Quaich, the word is derived from the Gaelic cuach ‘cup’. It is a small shallow bowl like cup with two handles or ‘lugs’ – a Scottish word for ears! Its origin is unknown but it has often been described as a drinking cup of Highland origin and used to welcome guests and to mark special occasions. It resembles an older drinking cup, that of a scallop shell. A Quaich requires two hands to hold it and two hands to receive it, therefore it is a token of friendship and trust as there is nothing else in your hands! The Scottish Bard, Robert Burns is credited with the words of the song Auld Lang Syne. Burns in a letter to a Mrs. Dunlop on 7th December 1788, and in a note to a George Thomson on 1793, describes the words as from an old song of olden times never before in print. To what extent Burns reworked this traditional ballad is unknown. On December 31st at midnight we enjoy this song for the sake of old long ago, and desire to keep and treasure friendship and kindness going forward. Often sung joining hands with all around us. ‘And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught‘ – a goodwill drink for old long ago. “surely you’ll be your pint stowp” – buy your own pint cup and I will buy mine. I wish you and all whom you love a good cup of kindness as you give thanks for the friendship and trust you have enjoyed amongst family and friends in times past. May it continue to be so going into a New Year. Happy New Year!
Auld Lang Syne
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
Sin’ 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.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne. Robert Burns
Prayer
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thou presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
Thou my great Father and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I need not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance through all of my day
Thou and Thou only though first in my heart
High king of heaven my treasure Thou art
Oh high king of heaven, when battle is done
Grant heaven’s joy to me, bright heaven sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all –
An ancient Irish monastic prayer dating to 10th. century or before. Hymn tune Slane
Prayers, Poems, and Christian Ponderings 
On Leaving Twenty-four
For the year of poems and sonnets as well, I think of all I’ve learned,
And pondering these in morning’s light, for peace and justice I’ve yearned.
The words, though pure and sometimes born of grief and truth or awe,
In our troubled world of fear and pain I somehow oversaw.
That there is Light and Hope enough to share and sow our fields,
So let’s take a cup o’ kindness yet,
to broaden out our yields.
Now thanks I give and thanks I share for wisdom so sublime,
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
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