Once a year we’d all be Scots

My dad‘s half Scots so New Year‘s Eve

You could‘nae be a sassenach

We‘d stay up late for Hogmanay

See old year out, a new one in.

---

He’d take a dram

And call us ‘bairns‘

And we’d be doing Highland flings

And swirling round as if in kilts

Accompanied by the skirling pipes.

---

And Andy Stewart on TV

Would host the Beeb‘s White Heather Club

And once a year we‘d all be Scots

And join in all the Scot‘s laments.

---

We‘d keep one eye upon the clock

We might be tired but none could sleep

Before it’s hands were at the top

And we had seen the New Year in.

---

And come the hour we‘d cheer, we’d hug

Our mum would give each bairn a kiss.

The arms would cross for Auld Lang Syne.

We’d sing to let the New Year in.

---

Then every window, every door

At dad‘s insistence we’d fling wide

And we’d feel the chill as the old year went

And a cold wind brought the new one in.

---

And we’d look for a neighbour

To cross our hearth with lucky coal

We’d seek a stranger dark and tall

Then luck would call.

---

But it often happened I recall

Sassanachs slept and none would call

Our celebration all gone flat

We’d go to bed and dad would drink.

---

A Happy New Year to you all Scots and Sassenachs alike!!