Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.




Waltzing Australia

Friday 1 January 2010

New Year's Day - Customs & Traditions

For all my friends around the world may the coming year bring prosperity, peace and happiness.


Ring out the old
Ring in the new
Ring out the false
Ring in the true


Love and joy come to you
And to our wassail too
And God send you a Happy New Year














Traditionally on New Year's Eve, just as the clock strikes midnight, Mum and Dad and us kiddies all gathered 'round the piano and sang "Auld Lang Syne" - written by the great Scottish bard, Robbie Burns. (25 January 1759 - 21 July 1796)



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.

We twa hae run about the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.

And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a right good willie-waught,
For auld lang syne.



Statues,Dunedin

Robbie Burns has his back to the church and his face to the pub. Which is the way he would have wanted it. (Photo taken in Dunedin, 2007)

At the stroke of midnight, when the old year departs and the new year begins, "Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung around the world, especially in English speaking countries, and everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a circle.

New Years Customs
Apart from getting giddily tipsy and kissing everybody in sight at the stroke of midnight, there are other customs as well -

like
First Footing - The first person to cross your threshold and enter your home should be dark haired, tall and good looking. Preferably bearing a gift. If that person is a red head or blonde, then I'm afraid you're in for a run of bad luck for the coming year. Oh, and the "First Footer" must, I repeat, must be a male - no females please. That'd bring disaster on everyone's head!

Pay Your Bills - Tis bad luck if you've any unpaid bills on the 1st January.

Have food in the house - Having an empty pantry or food cupboard is also bad luck.

Make A Big Noise - Loud noise scares away the evil spirits so make a big racket even if it does annoy your staid, 80 year old neighbours next door!

Of course, if you have bad luck on New Year's Day, then that bodes ill for the next 364 days!

I wish all of you, everyone, prosperity and good luck for the New Year.
Cheers.

Note: I selected the "Waterloo Bridge" version of Auld Lang Syne as it was the best I could find and the most poignant.

Quote of the Day: Friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies!

13 comments:

Luis Gomez said...

Happy New Year to you too. Thank you for your visits.

brattcat said...

Cheers and a toast to you, dear Blossom Girl.

Joe Todd said...

Lovely post Just wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR and thanks for sharing your world

B SQUARED said...

A joyous New Year to you as well.

Olivier said...

Superbe carte de voeux, je te souhaite une BONNE ET HEUREUSE ANNEE 2010.

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Luis Gomez - Wishing you a Happy New Year to you and yours too, and best wishes for 2010.

Brattcat - I give you and Isish toast, "May you be in Heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead" Sláinte.

Joe Todd - And a very Happy New Year to you too. I have enjoyed reading your blog and your words of wisdom.

B Squared - Thanks and a Happy New Year to you too and best wishes for 2010.
Cheers all.

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Manuel Nieto - Happy 2010 and New Years wishes. Cheers.

Olivier - Merci pour le compliment Olivier. Bonne année et meilleurs voeux pour 2010. À la vôtre.

Rob Siemann said...

Happy new year to you and family! In Catalan: bon any!

VP said...

You already got there!
Happy New Year from a Tuscany soaked in rain!

AB said...

Wishing you all the best in 2010!

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Wonderful! I love the banner and the various posters, and especially the 4 minute tragic romance "auld lang syne". Thank you and Happy New Year! Christine,

Three Rivers Daily Photo

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Rob and Mandy - And a very Happy New Year to you both - long life, good health and good luck for 2010.
Bon any nou.
Cheers.

Vogon Poet - YOu are not alone in the rain dear friend - Melbourne had a "cool change" after two very hot days - it was raining cats and dogs, thunder, lightning, the works. Methinks thor was in good spirits. BEstwishes for the coming year and may you have posperity and cheer.

AB - And a Happy New Year to you and yours and good times for 2010.

Three Rivers - Thanks for the compliment.☺ I remember watching thast movie - it was a real tear jerker. Happy New Year to you too and best of luck for 2010.
Cheers.

Louis la Vache said...

Bonne année!

Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.