Global Granary

Today 31 December sees new years eve approach for much of the global community

The first time zones to celebrate January 1 2013, will be the aptly named Christmas Island/Kiribati followed by Samoa then New Zealand.

January was the first month of year in the ancient Roman calendar (and latterly the Gregorian Calendar), named after a god called Janus (Latin word for door). Janus had two faces; one to look back at the old year and the other look  forward into the new year at the same time. Janus was the spirit of the opening.
The most famous song to commemorate New year is Auld Lang Syne

Most commonly sung by English-speakers at midnight on New Year’s eve, “Auld Lang Syne” is an old Scottish song

Being of Scottish descent in the distant family (or clan!?) past I am proud to hear this song and it never fails to give me a tingle when hearing the lyrics and music.

The words were  first published by the Scottish 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” which is 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.”
Auld Lang Syne and other New Year’s customs
“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.
More on New Year’s Celebrations
A History of the New Year
Saying “Happy New Year!” Around the World
New Year’s on Dates Other
Than Jan. 1
Chinese New Year
Jewish New Year: Rosh Hashannah
Islamic New Year: Muharram

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 in Scotland and England is “first-footing.” Shortly after midnight on New Year’s eve, neighbours pay visits or go to the entrance door to their homes to  impart New Year’s wishes to neighbours. Parties are common too.

Traditionally, there was ‘First footing’   where ‘a stranger’ 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

In London England, many revellers attend Trafalgar Square and near the environs pf the clock tower recently named Queen Elizabeth II clock tower (to commemorate the Queens Diamond Jubilee). The tower is home to the iconic bell call Big Ben, who sound is known around the world. Big Ben chines in New Year to millions of people. There are also awesome firework display on the rover Thames and on the London Eye. many other cities around the world greet the new year with spectacular firework displays.

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.

Many countries have their own New year traditions.

Read more: New Year’s Traditions around the world visit two excellent and informative websites;

http://projectbritain.com/year/january.htm

http://www.fathertimes.net/traditions.htm

We at Global Granary wish our viewers and visitors a very happy and peaceful New Year. Please visit again next year and your comments & suggestions are always welcome.