Regina Spektor – My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) (Peggy Lee cover)

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Send "My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) (Peggy Lee cover)" Ringtone to Cell

My dear acquaintance, it's so good to know you
For strength of your hand
That is loving and giving
And a happy new year
With love overflowing
With joy in our hearts
For the blessed new year

Raise your glass and we'll have a cheer
For us all who are gathered here
And a happy new year to all that is living
To all that is gentle, kind, and forgiving
Raise your glass and we'll have a cheer
My dear acquaintance, a happy new year

All of those who are hither and yonder
With love in our hearts
We grow fonder and fonder
Hail to those who we hold so dear
And hail to those who are gathered here

And a happy new year to all that is living
To all that is gentle, young, and forgiving
Raise your glass and we'll have a cheer
My dear acquaintance, a happy new year
Happy new year

Send "My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) (Peggy Lee cover)" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by just_old_light, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Track duration: 02:52


My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) (Peggy Lee cover) song meanings
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  • 0
    Song Meaning:This song isn't about having a "happy new year," it's a sarcastic observation of people toasting and celebrating how wonderful their lives are, and patting themselves on the back for another year of "job well done"s when there are people dying in wars. It's saying that we as people like to pretend how wonderful everything is in life, and how great the human race is, but we still spend large sums of money to fund mass murder.

    I always picture it as a high end New Years Eve party, the tickling of glasses and polite conversation, people in fancy dress being so happy about how lovely the year they have had as been, but the sounds of explosions in the background, the gun shots, a nagging reminder that should be in the back of everyone's mind the things that still need to be worked on in this world.

    Instead of New Years resolutions about weight loss and quitting smoking, they should be to try to really better the world.
    Flag stormyhaon October 03, 2012   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:I think she is just wishing everyone a happy new year and reminding us to be gentle, kind and forgiving.
    Very sweet.
    Flag tourniquettyon December 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:With the sirens and gunshots in the background, it reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel's 7 O'clock News Silent Night.

    I love Regina. I live for her.
    Flag theheroofthisstoryon April 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's a remake, but with gunshots in the background?
    Flag gracefulstumbleson December 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:when I first listened to this song it did make me think of WWI and II, because of the gunshots, but I suppose they could refer to any war =\
    Flag catriona176on July 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Just to inform everyone, this song is not about sarcasm or whatever. It's about the war. the planes in the backround are fighter jets and the guns going off. Shes welcoming the new year and celebrating all who are fighting for everyone else to live and who are still living.
    Flag vmurrell93on January 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Actually, this song originally done by Peggy Lee, not Ms. Spektor.

    I love both though. :D
    Flag w0ah__californiaon January 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with crumbs, this song is definately sarcastic or ironic. I think the speaker is either the many ignorant Americans who turn their faces away and celebrate within themselves to "a happy new year", speaking ironicly of love and joy, selfishly repeating "us, and "our," burying away the reality of all the wars and trouble that is being fought all around the globe or the speaker is some sorr of a powerful leader, like a president.

    The background sounds remind me of soldiers.
    First we hear the engines and blades of flying machines (planes and helicopters) which makes me think of our soldiers leaving the coutry to other countries, then sirens of an ambulance or police car and then gunshots, meaning people getting hurt or killed.

    And still, the speaker mentions only "all those who are gahered here," talking more about blessing and love. Makes me think of a Christian who is... I can't even think of the right word... Somewher in between selfish, hippocritical, and prideful. Blessing and only acquanting with those like themselves. "To all that is gentle, kind, and forgiving."
    Flag gracefulstumbleson January 05, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hear hear farfaraway. Also, I really agree with the irony and sarcasm in this song. It reminds me of the seperations we put between ourselves and the horror out there. Here we stand... celebrating the new year... insulated from what goes on due to our leaders, our inaction and our ignornance yet we can still celebrate the blessings we have. Which isn't altogether a bad thing.
    Flag crumbson January 05, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hear hear farfaraway. Also, I really agree with the irony and sarcasm in this song. It reminds me of the seperations we put between ourselves and the horror out there. Here we stand... celebrating the new year... insulated from what goes on due to our leaders, our inaction and our ignornance yet we can still celebrate the blessings we have. Which isn't altogether a bad thing.
    Flag crumbson January 05, 2008   Link

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