Hogmanay is the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve. One of the most common customs, celebrated right after midnight, is called first-footing, which involves being the first person to cross a friend or neighbor’s threshold[1] and giving symbolic good-luck gifts to the host[2] like coal, salt, whisky, shortbread[3] and black bun (a type of fruit pudding). The host then offers food and drink to the guests. For the occasion, the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) made famous Auld Lang Syne a traditional poem which is now sung in many countries to star the new year. Auld lang syne, which translates to long ago[4], reminds us to not forget the past as we start anew[5].
Should old acquaintance[6] be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness[7] yet
for auld lang syne…
[1] umbral, [2] anfitrión, [3] mantecada, [4] hace mucho, [5] de nuevo, [6] conocido, [7] bondad
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