"Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols."

The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).
The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.
In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.
Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations.
During the Middle Ages, the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years.
The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.
Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

The Author of Auld Lang Syne

Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland in 1759 to William Burness, a poor tenant farmer, and Agnes Broun, Robert Burns was the eldest of seven. He spent his youth working his father's farm, but in spite of his poverty he was extremely well read .
The last years of Burns' life were devoted to penning great poetic masterpieces such as The Lea Rig, Tam O'Shanter and a Red, Red Rose. He died aged 37 of heart disease exacerbated by the hard manual work he undertook when he was young.
On the anniversary of his birth, "Burns Night", Scots both at home and abroad celebrate Robert Burns with a supper, where they address the haggis, the ladies and whisky. At New Years celebrations, which would undoubtedly make him proud, "Auld Lang Syne" a song of friendship and salutation recognised across the English-speaking world, is the Burns song we know and love to sing on Burns's Night and at New Years.

Happy New Year to Everyone!
Sing along with "Auld Lang Syne"

For auld lang syne, my dear, (old long ago)
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, (pay for)
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, (hillsides)
And pou'd the gowans fine, (pulled, daisies)
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn (waded, stream)
Frae morning sun till dine, (noon, dinner- time)
But seas between us braid hae roar'd (broad)
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere, (companion)
And gie's a hand o thine, (goodwill drink)
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

"Your New Year begins with hopes and dreams,
the best of intentions, and the ruffle of wings."

Featured Music: "Auld Lang Syne"

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