Auld ReekieThis ariel picture of Edinburgh was scanned from a family book called Wonderful Britain by JA Hammerton, printed in 1920. I presume the copyright has lapsed...
Hogmanay
It's seeven oclock, get up an' aboot
There's lots tae dae, too much a' doot
Get the weans washed an' oot tae play
It's the thirty first, it's Hogmanay
Get ben the hoose and strip the bed
An' see an' get the table read
Get thon hurley oot o' sight
Fir later oan, it's Hogmanay night
Thirs soup tae mak', an' Bun tae bake
Yer Grannies bringin' a Stottie Cake
Thirs Shortbreid done an' packed away
Fir it's end o' year, it's Hogmanay
Rake the fire, tak the ashes oot
An' dinnae scatter them a' aboot
Keep them off o' the landin' flair
Fir it's yer Mithers turn tae dae the stair
Ging doon tae Dilworths' 'am gonnae need
Twa plain loaves an' a pan o' breid
A' dinnae want nane fae yesterday
It's gotta be fresh, it's Hogmanay
Get the sausage meat oot o' the press
An' mak sure yez dinnae mak a mess
There's the booze tae get, "is yer Faither away"?
Cos the nichts the nicht it's Hogmanay
Ah've goat nae time tae dae yer tea
Ging tae the chippy jist doon the street
Pies an' chips 'ull juist hae tae dae
Fir it's nearly end o' the Hogmanay
The tables set, the fires a' lit
Yer Faither ye ken is aye first fit
Sorry son, whits that ye say?
Oh help ma boab, it's near end o' day
The hoose is clean, sandwiches made
You bairns 'ull juist hae lemonade
Get doon the street fir yer Auntie May
She'l want tae be here fir the Hogmanay
Noo, a' things ready fir fowk tae come in
Fir neebours an' wir kith an' kin
They cam fae a' the airts this day
Fir abuidy's hame fir the Hogmanay
Yer Faithers here, the bells have rung
An' auld lang syne has juist been sung
A Guid New Year tae a' I say
It's January first, an' New Years Day
Sae lift yer gless, mak sure it's fu'
An' heres a toast fae me tae you
Tae young an' auld, fae far an' near
Hae a Happy, Healthy, Guid New Year"
"Hogmanay" by Harry Keen © 1999
This poem accompanies a story written by Harry of his memories of Hogmanay in 1920's Edinburgh - A great read.