Johnnythefox
Que sera sera
- Nov 11, 2018
- 3,129
Happy Hogmanay
New Years Eve in Scotland is called Hogmanay and is a big celebration. In days of old people would clean their house from top to bottom. This was in order to get rid of the old years dirt before welcoming in the new.
I remember my mother would prepare a big spread every year in case any first-footers would arrive. "First footing" (or the "first foot" in the house after midnight) is still common across Scotland. To ensure good luck for the house the first foot should be a dark male, and he should bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee dram of whisky.
Nine times out of ten no one would show up, sad really when she had gone to all that trouble and expense with the big spread. I don't think it's as popular as it once was, just another example of the decline in the community spirit. Nowadays your first-foot is more likely to be the bailiffs demanding payment of your debts and removing anything of value from your home.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And 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.
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.
For auld, &c.
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.
For auld, &c.
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.
For auld, &c.
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.
New Years Eve in Scotland is called Hogmanay and is a big celebration. In days of old people would clean their house from top to bottom. This was in order to get rid of the old years dirt before welcoming in the new.
I remember my mother would prepare a big spread every year in case any first-footers would arrive. "First footing" (or the "first foot" in the house after midnight) is still common across Scotland. To ensure good luck for the house the first foot should be a dark male, and he should bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee dram of whisky.
Nine times out of ten no one would show up, sad really when she had gone to all that trouble and expense with the big spread. I don't think it's as popular as it once was, just another example of the decline in the community spirit. Nowadays your first-foot is more likely to be the bailiffs demanding payment of your debts and removing anything of value from your home.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And 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.
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.
For auld, &c.
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.
For auld, &c.
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.
For auld, &c.
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.
