Happy New Year to you from the Service Club for the Blind! We trust it will be a year of good health, happiness and prosperity for you. 2017 is sure to be a year of interesting happenings!
I am often fascinated by various New Year traditions and how people celebrate. Just within the United States alone there are many different ways people see in the New Year and the foods they prepare on New Year’s Day. Many celebrations involve parties with friends and loved ones, food and traditionally at midnight, champagne. New Year’s resolutions form a high point of the New Year. The top resolutions are: dieting, exercising and curbing bad habits.
If you want to subscribe to superstition, don’t let anything leave the house on New Year’s, except for people. Tradition says: don’t take out the trash and leave anything you want to take out of the house on New Year’s outside the night before. If you must remove something, make sure to replace it by bringing an item into the house. These policies of balance apply in other areas as well—avoiding paying bills, breaking anything, or shedding tears.
Some foods considered “lucky” to eat during the festivities include: Circular shaped foods, Black-eyed peas, Cabbage (or collard greens), Pork.
The song, “Auld Lang Syne,” is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700’s, it was first published in 1796 after Burns’ death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scottish tune, “Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long ago,” or simply, “the good old days.”
Lyrics
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
Whatever your traditions, we trust you enjoyed your festivities and will “take a cup of kindness” and be sure to pass it on.
Happy New Year!
(click on the link below and scroll down to listen to the song Auld Lang Syne)