Robert Burns and Auld Lang Syne

I bought a Robert Burns book of poetry for myself for Christmas. At the time, I had no idea the song Auld Lang Syne was penned by him. How apropos of me! Because of that, I let my natural curiosity lead me to look into the song. According to Britannica.com, the Scottish words "Auld Lang Syne" are translated "Old Long Since".

Apparently, it can also be translated "For old times' sake" or "Since long ago". But the song was about old friends having a drink together recalling past adventures they shared. I think that tradition has survived for a very long time!

Like Charles Dickens, Burns came from a life of poverty. It is said that he was opposed to the class system, although his work crossed all class boundaries. In fact, to this day rich and poor alike in Scotland celebrate "Burns Night" on his birthday, January 25th since he is considered the national poet of Scotland.

Digging into the history of these famous writers has made one thing clear. Where the writer comes from definitely impacts their writing. Look hard enough and I believe it can be traced in their work. It is part of their voice in one way or another.

As a freelance writer, I learned that our voice is important, it can enhance and propel your writing. To find your niche is important too. Dickens was a masterful storyteller whereas Burns was a masterful poet and lyricist. You could say, he was one of the first rock stars. I bet he never knew he would go down in history for Auld Lang Syne.

Wherever you come from and in whatever genre you write, it matters. Don't ignore it, embrace it and make it work for you. Happy New Year 2024 and Happy Writing!