Aluksi William Cullen Bryantin (1794-1878) runo "A Song for New Year's Eve". Bryant oli amerikkalainen runoilija, meillä huonosti tunnettu, ja kotoisin Massachusettsin osavaltiosta kuten niin monet muutkin runoilijat.
A SONG FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE
Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay -
Stay till the good old year,
So long companion of our way,
Shakes hands and leaves us here.
Oh stay, oh stay,
One little hour, and then away.
The year, whose hopes were high and strong,
Has now no hopes to wake;
Yet one hour more of jest and song
For his familiar sake.
Oh stay, oh stay,
One mirthful hour, and then away.
The kindly year, his liberal hands
Have lavished all his store.
And shall we turn from where he stands,
Because he gives no more?
Oh stay, oh stay,
One grateful hour, and then away.
Days brightly came and calmly went,
While yet he was our quest;
How cheerfully the week was spent!
How sweet the seventh day's rest!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One golden hour, and then away.
Dear friends were with us, some who sleep
Beneath the coffin-lid;
What pleasant memories we keep
Of all they said and did!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One tender hour, and then away.
Even while we sing, he smiles his last,
And leaves our sphere behind.
The good old year is with the past;
Oh, be the new as kind!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One parting strain, and then away.
Toisena Kaarlo Sarkian hieman toisensävyisiä mutta varmasti yhtä tosia mietteitä uudenvuodenyönä:
UUDENVUODENYÖNÄ
Ajanvaihdantatyössä,
ajastaika uusi,
älä oveeni lyö sä.
En kolkutteluusi
minä herää yössä.
Ajan osoitin kääntyy,
en kulje sen mukaan.
miten vuoteni sääntyy,
sitä tiedä ei kukaan,
mihin jalkani nääntyy.
Oman aikani myötä
minä matkaan lähden.
Jo näyttää yötä
säde kohtalon tähden.
Sydän, kupees vyötä!
Elon vihreät polut
sua vietteli kerta.
Ohi niiden jo solut,
päin aavaa merta
joen pyörteissä jolut.
Käsi ihmisen siellä
ei voi sua auttaa.
Meri saa sinut niellä,
ei venhettä, lauttaa.
Nyt oot menotiellä.
Et tunne sa majaa,
et lämmintä liettä.
Sua kohtalos ajaa
tienviitoitta, tiettä.
Ratas kohtaa rajaa
ajanjakson ei uuden,
yli vuosien kulkee.
Meri ajattomuuden
jo sun puoliksi sulkee,
syli rajattomuuden.
Myös mulle se hohti,
elon punainen viini.
Käden kurkoitin kohti,
mut siemauksiini
joku myrkkyä johti.
Lie arpa se parhain
kuvat pettävät heittää
elon kauniiden harhain.
Elonvirtani peittää
meri liianko varhain?
Minä kääntää tahdoin
ajan hiekkakellot.
Mitä tehdä mä mahdoin?
Ajattomuuden vahdoin,
meri, vastaani vellot.
Kuka vuoden uuden
vois minulle antaa?
Kuka vois minut kantaa
merest' ajattomuuden
päin elämän rantaa?
A Song for New Year's Eve
by William Cullen BryantStay yet, my friends, a moment stay— Stay till the good old year, So long companion of our way, Shakes hands, and leaves us here. Oh stay, oh stay, One little hour, and then away. The year, whose hopes were high and strong, Has now no hopes to wake; Yet one hour more of jest and song For his familiar sake. Oh stay, oh stay, One mirthful hour, and then away. The kindly year, his liberal hands Have lavished all his store. And shall we turn from where he stands, Because he gives no more? Oh stay, oh stay, One grateful hour, and then away. Days brightly came and calmly went, While yet he was our guest; How cheerfully the week was spent! How sweet the seventh day's rest! Oh stay, oh stay, One golden hour, and then away. Dear friends were with us, some who sleep Beneath the coffin-lid: What pleasant memories we keep Of all they said and did! Oh stay, oh stay, One tender hour, and then away. Even while we sing, he smiles his last, And leaves our sphere behind. The good old year is with the past; Oh be the new as kind! Oh stay, oh stay, One parting strain, and then away.- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19330#sthash.gpmXHOv4.dpuf
A Song for New Year's Eve
by William Cullen BryantStay yet, my friends, a moment stay— Stay till the good old year, So long companion of our way, Shakes hands, and leaves us here. Oh stay, oh stay, One little hour, and then away. The year, whose hopes were high and strong, Has now no hopes to wake; Yet one hour more of jest and song For his familiar sake. Oh stay, oh stay, One mirthful hour, and then away. The kindly year, his liberal hands Have lavished all his store. And shall we turn from where he stands, Because he gives no more? Oh stay, oh stay, One grateful hour, and then away. Days brightly came and calmly went, While yet he was our guest; How cheerfully the week was spent! How sweet the seventh day's rest! Oh stay, oh stay, One golden hour, and then away. Dear friends were with us, some who sleep Beneath the coffin-lid: What pleasant memories we keep Of all they said and did! Oh stay, oh stay, One tender hour, and then away. Even while we sing, he smiles his last, And leaves our sphere behind. The good old year is with the past; Oh be the new as kind! Oh stay, oh stay, One parting strain, and then away.- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19330#sthash.gpmXHOv4.dpuf
