If U2 Played McSorley’s on Seventh - You Couldn’t Get a Ticket
I was sitting at the table in the corner on the right
If you’ve ever been to McSorley’s on 7th in the city that never sleeps, you know it is an ale house with no jukebox and two possibilities for beer. Dark, and not dark. Neither of which is served cold. The only music you’ll find at McSorley’s is the songs belted out by each evening’s attendees – sometimes a loner, others are by small groups, and occasionally, the whole place jumps in. The number of people singing depends upon the song and who knows the lyrics. Most of the tunes are Irish, but once in a while, other songs squeak in. And I was there one evening singing the Scottish Auld Lang Syne alongside about 100 of my newest friends. It was so cool.
I cry. I admit it.
And ever since that moment, Auld Lang Syne was burned into my brain. Over the years, I’ve heard many versions of it, learned and unlearned the lyrics, made my own lyrics, read about the song’s origins, and, yes, tried to find a video of U2 singing it. I figured that since the Scots and the Irish seem to get along, Bono and crew have had to bust it out on at least one New Year’s after a few whiskeys. If they did, nobody has filmed it yet. The closest thing I could find is a version that The Tenors performed – and since Bono is a tenor, it will have to do for now.
It is blurry - and from 1988 - but it is the best that I could do
There is a scene in the movie Cocktail where Tom Cruise makes the profound statement, “Everything ends badly. Otherwise, it wouldn’t end.” Is this a true statement? I think not. Now and then, an athlete leaves a field carried by teammates, great musicians and performers end their stints to standing ovations, the checkered flag works out for one racer, dinners end with desserts, everyone loves a grand finale on the 4th, and even at the end of a brutal war conquering heroes make it back to their homes. So, some things end badly, some end in epic fashion, and some things…well, they end…because they have to.
Why should we celebrate an ending? Simple. Endings are the predecessors of new beginnings. One can NOT have a new beginning without some type of an end. And in this case, tonight, we will say goodbye to 2023. My son will get his first dose of Auld Lang Syne – likely all day from me. I want him to know the song’s essence – that we are acknowledging our journey by reflecting on the “days gone by” and looking towards a hopeful future.
In his education, this message is particularly pertinent. Each year brings its own set of challenges, achievements, and learning experiences. As educators, parents, and students, we journey through our years, growing and evolving academically and personally. Then, as each year concludes, we find ourselves at a pivotal point – an ending that inherently sows the seeds of new beginnings. Just as "Auld Lang Syne" encapsulates the spirit of moving forward while cherishing the memories of the past, the start of a new year offers a chance to apply our past learnings to upcoming new experiences.
I have just one more paragraph to add – and that is one small attempt to Americanize an end. Endings are hard for us to understand – because Joe Flacco never retired, and he went from seemingly his couch to a potential Superbowl. We thought it ended with Return of the Jedi, and we were oh so, so wrong. Decades later, soul mates reconnect, and even Rocky nearly won a fight in his 60s. Technically, any tour can be a farewell tour – unless it’s the Eagles - because they will be playing well into the 2070s.
A cup of kindness to my readers….
Analytics show that this blog now has 10,000 readers in every state in the US, including Hawaii and Alaska, and I have no idea how, but readers in 47 countries. I am honored by your interest.
For tonight, here are the lyric, compliments of Reader’s Digest:
FIRST VERSE:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
SECOND VERSE:
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
THIRD VERSE:
We two have run about the slopes,
And picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
Since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
FOURTH VERSE:
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
FIFTH VERSE:
And there’s a hand, my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
