“Same Old Lang Syne” –Dan Fogelberg (1951-2007)Every year at this time we hear so many Christmas songs like I wrote about in my last column. The radio waves and stores are filled with Christmas music. But then there is the period after Christmas, like now. There are few songs that really spring to mind about this period but there is one that stands out; a song from Dan Fogelberg,”Same Old Lang Syne,” that I listen to every year at this time. It’s like getting together with a friend who tells you about his Christmas Eve. Remember, not all Christmas Eves are like you see in the movies!  “Met my old lover in the
grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
I stole behind her in the
frozen foods
And I touched her on the sleeve She didn’t recognize the
face at first
But then her eyes flew
open wide
She went to hug me and she
spilled her purse
And we laughed until we cried…”

They wanted to find a place to share a drink but no place was open Christmas Eve, so they ended up drinking beer in his car and catching up after all those years…
“She said she’d married her an architect
Who kept her warm and safe
and dry
She would have liked to say she
loved the man
But she didn’t like to lie…”

He was a singer who had been fairly successful. But his life was not exactly as it appeared…
“She said she saw me in the
record stores
And that I must be doing well
I said the audience was
heavenly
But the traveling was hell…We drank a toast to innocence
We drank a toast to time
Reliving in our eloquence
Another ‘auld lang syne’…”  I listen to this song every year at this time. I love how he paints a picture with his words. And when you hear the music and his voice you will see how it all comes together.However, this year as I listen to the song, and in the years to come, it will be particularly bittersweet. Dan Fogelberg passed away a few weeks ago. He touched so many people with his music including the love song that many people play at their weddings, “Longer.”His music is his legacy and he will be missed.But I will smile a thankful smile everytime I hear “Same Old Lang Syne.”