To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=16390
8 messages

Help: Hogmonay

21 Dec 99 - 03:41 PM (#152539)
Subject: Hogmonay
From: NSC

This request is addressed to Scottish Catters or their descendants.

I am extremely interested in a rhyme relating to the ancient tradition of First Footing at Hogmonay.

My father used to bring with him A piece of coal, some salt, some sugar and a bottle of Scotch Whiskey. Armed with these goodies he would visit a neighbour or friends when he knew that nobody else would have crossed the threshold in the New Year and thus he would be the first foot over the threshold. He used to recite a rhyme which signified the reasons for the gifts, i.e. Coal for warmth, salt for flavouring, sugar for sweetness and a drop of New Year spirit.

The tradition was that every adult would have a drink from the first foot bottle. My father would then collect the remnants of the bottle and head for his next conquest usually with the first friends in tow. They would proceed to the next house where the same tradition was followed. They always ended up footless at about 4a.m. (in need of new first feet).

Anyway, what I am looking for is the rhyme. It is fairly urgent as I only have access to a computer until tomorrow at 5p.m. Irish time (12 noon East coast USA). Any help would be appreciated.

George Henderson

21 Dec 99 - 04:34 PM (#152568)
Subject: RE: Help: Hogmonay
From: MMario

according to the scottish FAQ:

Great good luck to the house,
Good luck to the family,
Good luck to every rafter in it,
And to every worldly thing in it.

Good luck to horses and cattle,
Good luck to the sheep,
Good luck to everything,
And good luck to all your means.

Luck to the good-wife,
Good luck to the children,
Good luck to every friend,
Great fortune and health to all.

best luck was for a tall dark-haired man carrying coal, salt, bread, honey and whisky to be first to step through the door using his right foot.

22 Dec 99 - 03:11 AM (#152798)
Subject: RE: Help: Hogmonay
From: NSC

Thanks MMARIO

That's a good rhyme but not the rhyme I was looking for.

Any other suggestions anyone.

22 Dec 99 - 03:28 AM (#152806)
Subject: RE: Help: Hogmonay
From: Clinton Hammond2

This is from a Danny Carnahan (sp?) song called 'Dram To Warm The Piper'... It's the chorus...

Here's a dram to warm the piper
Here's a dram to warm the hall
Here's a dram to raise the rafters
And here's long life to you all

but I'll bet that's not what you were looking for eh?!?!

Lang may yer lum reek!

22 Dec 99 - 07:02 AM (#152831)
Subject: RE: Help: Hogmonay
From: NSC

Thanks Clinton,

No. the rhyme I'm looking for relates directly to the coal salt sugar and whiskey.

Ma Lum is always reekin'

22 Dec 99 - 10:52 AM (#152897)
Subject: RE: Help: Hogmonay
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

I can't help with the rhyme, but I'll look in the Last Stronghold when I get home to see if it's there.

For the reason behind the "Dark" haired man/woman to do the first footing, we have to go back around a thousand years. The Celts who lived in the Northern Scottish region was subject to predation by the Norse Vikings. According to legend, most of those people were fair-haired,or red-haired, whereas the Celts were dark haired.

So... if you were after good luck, the best would be if the first and all visitors were dark haired.

22 Dec 99 - 11:19 AM (#152910)
Subject: RE: Help: Hogmonay
From: NSC

Thanks George.

I will try to get use of a PC over the season and check in, maybe tomorrow or Friday.

I was aware of the reason for the tall dark stranger.

24 Dec 99 - 09:31 AM (#153786)
Subject: RE: Help: Hogmonay
From: Songbird

No rhymes to offer but a piece of advice.

Hogmanay is spelt with an A and whisky is spelt without an E.

Good luck First Footing