Happy 2013!
New Year's Traditions
Auld Lang Syne and other New Year's customs
by Borgna Brunner
"Auld Lang Syne"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. |
Auld Lang Syne
The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year's eve,
"Auld Lang Syne" is an old Scottish song that was first published by
the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum.
Burns transcribed it (and made some refinements to the lyrics) after he
heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland, Burns's
homeland.
It is often remarked that "Auld Lang Syne" is one of the most popular songs that nobody knows the lyrics to. "Auld Lang Syne"
literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by."
The song asks whether old friends and times will be forgotten and
promises to remember people of the past with fondness, "For auld lang
syne, we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet."
The lesser known verses continue this theme, lamenting how friends
who once used to "run about the braes,/ And pou'd the gowans fine" (run
about the hills and pulled up the daisies) and "paidl'd in the burn/Frae
morning sun till dine" (paddled in the stream from morning to dusk)
have become divided by time and distance—"seas between us braid hae
roar'd" (broad seas have roared between us). Yet there is always time
for old friends to get together—if not in person then in memory—and "tak
a right guid-willie waught" (a good-will drink).
But it was bandleader Guy Lombardo,
and not Robert Burns, who popularized the song and turned it into a
New Year's tradition. Lombardo first heard "Auld Lang Syne" in his
hometown of London, Ontario, where it was sung by Scottish immigrants.
When he and his brothers formed the famous dance band, Guy Lombardo and
His Royal Canadians, the song became one of their standards. Lombardo
played the song at midnight at a New Year's eve party at the Roosevelt
Hotel in New York City in 1929, and a tradition was born. After that,
Lombardo's version of the song was played every New Year's eve from the
1930s until 1976 at the Waldorf Astoria. In the first years it was
broadcast on radio, and then on television. The song became such a New
Year's tradition that "Life magazine wrote that if Lombardo
failed to play 'Auld Lang Syne,' the American public would not believe
that the new year had really arrived."
Hogmanay (Scotland)
The birthplace of "Auld Lang Syne" is also the home of Hogmanay
(hog-mah-NAY), the rousing Scottish New Year's celebration (the origins
of the name are obscure). One of the traditions is "first-footing."
Shortly after midnight on New Year's eve, neighbors pay visits to each
other and impart New Year's wishes. Traditionally, First foots used to
bring along a gift of coal for the fire, or shortbread. It is
considered especially lucky if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the
first to enter your house after the new year is rung in. The Edinburgh
Hogmanay celebration is the largest in the country, and consists of an
all-night street party (visit their Hagmanay website here).
Oshogatsu (Japan)
The new year is the most important holiday in Japan, and is a symbol of renewal. In December, various Bonenkai
or "forget-the-year parties" are held to bid farewell to the problems
and concerns of the past year and prepare for a new beginning.
Misunderstandings and grudges are forgiven and houses are scrubbed. At
midnight on Dec. 31, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times, in
a effort to expel 108 types of human weakness. New Year's day itself
is a day of joy and no work is to be done. Children receive otoshidamas,
small gifts with money inside. Sending New Year's cards is a popular
tradition—if postmarked by a certain date, the Japanese post office
guarantees delivery of all New Year's cards on Jan. 1.
Spain
The Spanish ritual on New Year's eve is to eat twelve grapes at
midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the
coming year.
The Netherlands
The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch
fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new.
Greece
In Greece, New Year's day is also the Festival of St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church.
One of the traditional foods served is Vassilopitta, or St Basil's
cake. A silver or gold coin is baked inside the cake. Whoever finds the
coin in their piece of cake will be especially lucky during the coming
year.
United States
Probably the most famous tradition in the United States is the
dropping of the New Year ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M.
Thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent,
arriving exactly at midnight. The tradition first began in 1907. The
original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of
Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070 pounds, and is six feet in diameter.
A traditional southern New Year's dish is Hoppin' John—black eyed
peas and ham hocks. An old saying goes, "Eat peas on New Year's day to
have plenty of everything the rest of the year."
Another American tradition is the Rose Bowl
in Pasadena, California. The Tournament of Roses parade that precedes
the football game on New Year's day is made up of elaborate and
inventive floats. The first parade was held in 1886.
Widely Observed New Year Symbols and Traditions
Resolutions: It is believed that the Babylonians
were the first to make New Year's resolutions, and people all over the
world have been breaking them ever since. The early Christians
believed the first day of the new year should be spent reflecting on
past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the new year.
Fireworks: Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year's
eve is believed to have originated in ancient times, when noise and fire
were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. The Chinese
are credited with inventing fireworks and use them to spectacular effect in their New Year's celebrations.
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