The following was posted on Facebook by my niece and nephew (Glasgow and Coatbridge respectively). The Glesga patter might be a bit challenging for those not in the know, but it ‘resonates’ with those of us who grew up when Hogmanay was celebrated in homes before everything went commercial with tickets sold to street parties in George Square, Glasgow and Princes Street, Edinburgh, for example. Steak pie was the pièce de résistance on Hogmanay for first footers. This culinary tasty food is still a tradition and is very popular as queues lined up around a butcher’s shop in Cathcart Road, Glasgow yesterday to stock up for Hogmanay. Maisie -------------------------------------------------------------- A Glesca Wean's Hogmanay By Helen Ross Sittin’ in mah goonie Face scrubbed well Ma sister therr beside me We’re waiting fur the bells. Aw day long been cleaning Oor wee singel end Mammy gie’n oot orders Drives us roon the bend Mammys oot the windae Sittin’ oan the sill Washin’ aw the windaes Me hoping she disny fall. Jessie’s cleanin’ the fireplace It wiz ma Mammy’s biddin’ Ahv been telt tae get the pail And take it tae the midden. As the time it passes There’s excitement in the air And Mammy’s oan her hunkers Scrubbin’ at the flair. Come oan youse two she cried It’s time tae hiv yir bath So intae the sink wi baith o’ yiz Furra thorough scrub and wash. Underneath yir oxters She scrubs wi a wrung oot clootie Wi aw that durt thit’s in yir ears Ah could grow a sack o’ totties. Oan wi yir simmit and knickers Yir Liberty bodice an aw Wi wurr winceyette goonies She says, yiz baith look braw. Get oot o’ mah road the perr of youse. It’s nearly hauf past nine. Ah’ll hifty soart the steak pie noo. Urr it’ll no’ be ready in time. We know it’s getting’ near the time When ma Ma gets the table oot There’ll be shortbreid, bun and ginger wine Of that there is nae doot We urr shoved in tae the recess bed Tae keep us oot the wye And Mammy turns the gas doon Oan the smellin’ lovely, pie. The peas urr in the pot Overnight, they’ve hid a steep The totties oan the gas ring They’re oan a wee, wee peep. Ma Mammy takes her rollers oot And powders up her nose Her good froack oot the wardrope And her shoes wi the peepy toes. She wiz up afore us And hisny stoapped aw day Bit noo she’s lookin’ beautifu And New Year’s on the way. It’s five tae twelve already White Heather oan the telly Singin’ songs of Scotland The Teuchters and the Keelies The tummlers urr oan the sideboard Fruit cordial fur Jessie and me A wee dram fur Ma Mammy She deserves it, ah hope yiz agree She opens the auld sash windae Tae bring in the New Year And oan the stroke o’ midnight The ships’ horns we could hear. Ma Mammy’s started greetin’ And raises up her gless Toastin’ aw the folk no therr And askin’ God tae bless. Efter cuddles and kisses the letter boax is tootin’ That’ll be Uncle Peter He’s oot therr daen furst footin. Tall and dark and handsome Wi whisky and coal in his haun Wi slicked back herr and shiny shoes And his good suit oot the pawn. We aw sit roon the table Tae eat oor pie and peas Then clear away the dishes Furra sing-song, if you please. Aunty Nellie sings aboot water And how it’s aw a roon Uncle Charlie diz his Frankie Laine Singing aboot high noon. The party’s gaun great guns Tae Maggie raises her haun Och ahm away up the road noo Coz Erchie’s sung mah song. Jessie and me urr tired noo Like the cat that goat the cream So it’s us intae the recess bed To sleep, perchance tae dream. If any of this is familiar tae you This New Year of days gone by The memories of they great times Brings a wee tear tae the eye. So aw mah Facebook pals and family Ah wish the happiness that you seek Will come rushin tae you this New Year And lang may yir wee lum reek xx

Dear Maisie, A Happy New Year to You and Yours from us in New Zealand! Thank you very much for all your interesting and relevant posts. A Glesga Wean's Hogmanay is particularly nostalgic. John and Jean