2015 New Year’s Resolutions In Moapa Valley

By CATHERINE ELLERTON

Moapa Valley Progress

“For auld lang syne, 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. We twa hae paidl’d in the burn frae morning sun till dine.”

The song that has become so closely associated with welcoming in the New Year throughout the world was first published in 1796 as a poem by poet Robert Burns. He had heard an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland sing this song which recalls the love and kindness of days gone by and hopes they will never be forgot. It is amusedly said that this is the most popular song to which nobody knows the lyrics. This song was made popular by Guy Lombardo and his dance band, the Royal Canadians.

Four thousand year ago, the Babylonians during their Akitu Festival were the first to make a New Year’s Resolution – which we have been breaking ever since. Whether it be Hogmanay in Scotland when coal for the fire was left at homes after midnight to Oshogatsu in Japan where in Buddhist temples a gong is struck 108 times to get rid of 108 types of human weaknesses; or the St. Basil Festival in Greece where a coin is baked in a cake and the person that receives it in their piece would be especially lucky during the coming year; or the Philippines where anything round is auspicious – so be sure to wear a polka dot dress or tie on New Year’s Day to increase wealth and prosperity; the wish is for renewal, good health and prosperity for all.

This year, once again, we took to the streets of Moapa Valley to see what folks were planning as their 2015 New Year’s Resolutions. In the photos accompanying this article is what we learned.
“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.”