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The meal ensured you would always have food on the table, the coal meant the fire could always burn heartily and the tall dark handsome stranger guarded against unwelcome visitors. Just before midnight we were all dressed in our best clothes and the table was laid with special treats, raspberry cordial, ginger beer, Madeira cake and fruitcake. On the stroke of midnight my parents would toast in the new year with us children. After eating a huge meal we set off first-footin' to my Granny and Granda Souter. When all the family members had arrived at the house in Barcable Street, Springburn, it was time to start the traditional family singsong. Everyone had to participate and only under exceptional circumstances were you excused. The same songs were sung year in year out and it didn't matter whether or not you were a good singer, equal respect was given to each person. There were unwritten rules to follow. The main singer was given full attention, until just at the right moment everyone would join in enthusiastically. Once the weans were given their turn to sing, they were ushered back into the bedrooms so not to disturb the serious celebrations of the adults. The girls played in one room and the boys in another. The women had to pretend to drink Irn Bru from cups as my Granda didn't approve of women drinking alcohol. The more the alcohol flowed the worse the singing became, but naebody seemed to mind. |
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