THE DEATH OF THE OLD YEAR.
It is customary, every New Year's eve in America, to ring bells, fire
guns, send up rockets, and, in many other ways, to show joy and
gratitude that the old year has been so kind, and that the new year is
so auspicious. The emphasis in Tennyson's poem is laid on gratitude for
past benefits so easily forgotten rather than upon the possible
advantages of the unknown and untried future.
Full knee-deep lies the winter snow,
And the winter winds are wearily sighing:
Toll ye the church-bell sad and slow,
And tread softly and speak low,
For the old year lies a-dying.
Old year, you must not die;
You came to us so readily,
You lived with us so steadily,
Old year, you shall not die.
He lieth still: he doth not move:
He will not see the dawn of day.
He hath no other life above.
He gave me a friend, and a true true-love,
And the New-year will take 'em away.
Old year, you must not go;
So long as you have been with us,
Such joy as you have seen with us,
Old year, you shall not go.
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