XMAS AND HEW YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 20062, 31 December 1928, Page 4

XMAS AND HEW YEAR

[Written for the ‘Star’ by Q.V.] John Knox was sound as any drum Whereof there is no doubt In fifteen hundred urapty-um He counted Christmas out. He didn’t frown on New Year’s Day— It merely changed its name, And all good Scots kept Hogmau»y Without incurring blame. He reckoned it, so I’ve been told. The heinous-est of crimes To keep the feasts of wicked old Pre-Reformation times. And Christmas therefore raised his ire , As opening a way For .superstitions dark and dire To lead his folk astray. Plum-pudding was completely wrong, Mince-pies, and turkey, too; And singing carols came among ‘The things one must not do. But oh! He gave the shortest shrift To that which pleased him least. The custom of the Christmas gift That marked the Christmas least. With haggis and with Atholl brose He reckoned it no sin To help the Old Year to its close And bring the New Year in. But Christmas made his marrow ache It grieved his Scottish heart That giving, just for giving’s sake, Should play so large a part. I’ll own his grief was partly right For apprehension fills My soul, when New Year brings to light A cataract of bills For this, and that, and t’other thing The gifts I gaily sent. Alas! The day of reckohing Repeals how much I spent. But still, this life is never quite The softest feather bed, And he who revels overnight Must thole his aching head. You’ve got to pay for all your fun Whoever you may lie, I’ve never yet encountered one Who got off quite scot-free. And since you’ve always got to pay For all the fun you have, It’s better, far, in every nay To nay for what yen gave To other folk at Chri'tmastido, Than merely to he one Who sees his own wants satisfied And leave the rest alone. AH this is true—although, perhaps (In justice to the .Scot Who’s just as good as other chaps In giving what he’s gut) John Knox, who knew their* habits, thought His countrymen to stop y From .spending more than h’cotsmen ought And so»—let Christmas drop!