Hogmanay

May your first foot be tall dark and handsome, complete with bread, coal and a shiny penny too.

New Year's traditions are great aren't they?

My favourite is the tradition that New Years is never as good as it's hyped up to be. The one night everyone is forced to go out and have a feckin' amazing time - well, forcing anyone to do anything is generally a great way to make sure they don't do it. And of course in Scotland this is doubled, 'cos we have our own special word for New Year, we invented Whisky, and we wrote the feckin' song too.

I generally try to minimise the dissappointment of Hogmanay by having no expectations, and preferably no plans until a few days before. This year we partake of a soiree at my boyfriend's parents. Vodka, wine, poker, video games, and possibly a wee bit dance if things get crazy. I doubt we'll even sing Auld Lang Syne. So here's to a so-so New Year.

To add to the so-so-ness this year, anyone stotting home from the pub at 5am after a lock-in will be doing so through 4 inches of snow - which is conveniently lying on top of a sheet of ice in these parts. So even if you have a smashing night on the tiles, it will end with your face smashing into some tiles. On the plus side people fighting in the street will look more like people taking their first goes on poorly-fitting ice skates. Hi-larious.



As it is my second favourite part of the season, I give you the full and unedited version of Robbies' biggest selling hit, Auld Lang Syne. A marvellous song oft misquoted and mis-sung, although I hear the Queen has learned when to cross her hands now. In general the middle 3 verses are left out for Hogmanay singalongs, but remember, you DON'T CROSS HANDS till the line 'There's a hand my trusty fiere' [friend].

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 of 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!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

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.

And there’s a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.



For a translated version click here to go to my dad's blog: http://grahambell.org/wordpress/archives/443

Have a goodun'! Rubes x