'New Year's Eve' by Robert Service
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It's cruel cold on the water-front, silent and dark and drear;
Only the black tide weltering, only the hissing snow;
And I, alone, like a storm-tossed wreck, on this night of the glad New Year,
Shuffling along in the icy wind, ghastly and gaunt and slow.
They're playing a tune in McGuffy's saloon, and it's cheery and bright in there
(God! but I'm weak -- since the bitter dawn, and never a bite of food);
I'll just go over and slip inside -- I mustn't give way to despair --
Perhaps I can bum a little booze if the boys are feeling good.
They'll jeer at me, and they'll sneer at me, and they'll call me a whiskey soak;
("Have a drink? Well, thankee kindly, sir, I don't mind if I do.")
A drivelling, dirty, gin-joint fiend, the butt of the bar-room joke;
Sunk and sodden and hopeless -- "Another? Well, here's to you!"
McGuffy is showing a bunch of the boys how Bob Fitzsimmons hit;
The barman is talking of Tammany Hall, and why the ward boss got fired.
I'll just sneak into a corner and they'll let me alone a bit;
The room is reeling round and round . . .O God! but I'm tired, I'm tired. . . .
* * * * *
Roses she wore on her breast that night. Oh, but their scent was sweet!
Alone we sat on the balcony, and the fan-palms arched above;
The witching strain of a waltz by Strauss came up to our cool retreat,
And I prisoned her little hand in mine, and I whispered my plea of love.
Then sudden the laughter died on her lips, and lowly she bent her head;
And oh, there came in the deep, dark eyes a look that was heaven to see;
And the moments went, and I waited there, and never a word was said,
And she plucked from her bosom a rose of red and shyly gave it to me.
Then the music swelled to a crash of joy, and the lights blazed up like day,
And I held her fast to my throbbing heart, and I kissed her bonny brow.
"She is mine, she is mine for evermore!" the violins seemed to say,
And the bells were ringing the New Year in -- O God! I can hear them now.
Don't you remember that long, last waltz, with its sobbing, sad refrain?
Don't you remember that last good-by, and the dear eyes dim with tears?
Don't you remember that golden dream, with never a hint of pain,
Of lives that would blend like an angel-song in the bliss of the coming years?
Oh, what have I lost! What have I lost! Ethel, forgive, forgive!
The red, red rose is faded now, and it's fifty years ago.
'Twere better to die a thousand deaths than live each day as I live!
I have sinned, I have sunk to the lowest depths -- but oh, I have suffered so!
Hark! Oh, hark! I can hear the bells! . . . Look! I can see her there,
Fair as a dream . . . but it fades . . . And now -- I can hear the dreadful hum
Of the crowded court . . . See! the Judge looks down . . .
NOT GUILTY, my Lord, I swear . . .
The bells -- I can hear the bells again! . . . Ethel, I come, I come! . . .
* * * * *
"Rouse up, old man, it's twelve o'clock. You can't sleep here, you know.
Say! ain't you got no sentiment? Lift up your muddled head;
Have a drink to the glad New Year, a drop before you go --
You darned old dirty hobo . . . My God! Here, boys! He's DEAD!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Embracing the New Year with Robert Service's "New Year's Eve"
As the clock strikes twelve and the year comes to an end, there is a feeling of anticipation mixed with nostalgia that fills the air. For centuries, people have celebrated the New Year with various customs and traditions. One of the most common traditions is to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the coming year. This is where Robert Service's poem "New Year's Eve" comes in - a classic poem that captures the essence of the transition from the old year to the new one.
The Poem
"New Year's Eve" is a poem that consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem's rhyme scheme is AABB, which adds to the simplicity of the poem. The poem's theme is straightforward - the transition from the old year to the new one. However, the way the poet presents the theme is both unique and captivating.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the last moments of the old year. He mentions how the old year is "dying" and how it is "spent". This sets the tone for the rest of the poem - a tone of finality and closure. The speaker then goes on to describe the sound of the bells ringing at midnight. The bells are symbolic of the passing of time and the beginning of a new year.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the past year. He mentions how it had its "hope and sorrow". This line shows how the past year was not perfect, but it had its moments of joy and sadness. The speaker then goes on to mention how "we loved and lost". This line is an example of how the poet uses simple language to convey complex emotions. The line is short and to the point, but it conveys a deep sense of loss and longing.
The third stanza talks about the present moment - the moment when the old year ends, and the new one begins. The speaker describes the "magic" of the present moment and how it is a time of renewal. The present moment is like a blank slate, and it is up to us to make the most of it.
The fourth stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker talks about the future and how we cannot predict what it holds. The line "who knows what it may bring" shows how uncertain the future is. However, the speaker does not dwell on the uncertainty of the future. Instead, he mentions how we should embrace it and face it with courage and hope.
The fifth stanza is where the poem becomes more personal. The speaker talks about his own hopes and dreams for the future. He mentions how he wants to "find a true and faithful friend" and how he wants to "be the one to give". These lines show how the speaker wants to make a difference in the world and how he values human connections.
The final stanza is a call to action. The speaker asks us to leave behind the past and embrace the present and the future. The line "lift your glass and drain it dry" is an invitation to celebrate the New Year and all the possibilities that come with it.
Interpretation
"New Year's Eve" is a poem that captures the essence of the New Year - a time of reflection, renewal, and hope. The poem's simplicity and straightforwardness are what make it so powerful. The poet does not use complex language or imagery, but he still manages to convey complex emotions and ideas.
One of the poem's main themes is the passing of time. The bells ringing at midnight are symbolic of the passing of time and the beginning of a new year. The poem also reflects on the past year and the moments of joy and sorrow it brought. However, the poem's focus is not on the past but on the present and the future. The present moment is a time of renewal and magic, and the future is uncertain but full of possibilities.
Another theme in the poem is the importance of human connections. The speaker mentions how he wants to find a true and faithful friend and how he wants to be the one to give. These lines show how the speaker values human connections and how he wants to make a difference in the world. The poem's final stanza is a call to action, asking us to leave behind the past and embrace the present and the future. The line "lift your glass and drain it dry" is an invitation to celebrate the New Year and all the possibilities that come with it.
The poem's rhyme scheme and simple language contribute to its overall theme of renewal and hope. The AABB rhyme scheme adds to the poem's simplicity and makes it easy to remember. The simple language used in the poem allows the reader to focus on the emotions and ideas being conveyed.
Conclusion
"New Year's Eve" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the New Year. The passing of time, the importance of human connections, and the hope for the future are all themes that the poem explores. The poem's simplicity and straightforwardness are what make it so powerful. It is a poem that can be read and understood by anyone, regardless of their background or education. As we celebrate the New Year, let us remember Robert Service's "New Year's Eve" and embrace the present and the future with hope and courage.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
New Year's Eve: A Poem of Reflection and Renewal
As the year draws to a close and the countdown to midnight begins, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past twelve months and looking forward to the promise of a new year. In his classic poem "New Year's Eve," Robert Service captures this sense of anticipation and introspection, weaving together themes of time, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life.
The poem opens with a description of the scene on New Year's Eve, as people gather to celebrate and bid farewell to the old year. Service sets the tone with vivid imagery, describing the "frosty stars" and the "crunching snow" underfoot. He also introduces the idea of time as a central theme, noting that "Time's on the wing" and that "the old year's in his shroud."
As the poem progresses, Service delves deeper into the idea of time and its impact on our lives. He notes that "Time, like a flurry of wild snow, / Shall wrap us in his icy flow," suggesting that time is both relentless and unpredictable. He also touches on the idea of mortality, noting that "the years slip from us like a robe," and that "the end of life's the end of woe."
Despite these somber reflections, however, Service ultimately offers a message of hope and renewal. He notes that "the New Year comes, the old years go," and that "the future holds no fear." He encourages his readers to embrace the new year with enthusiasm and optimism, noting that "the world is wide, the world is fair, / There's wealth and glory everywhere."
One of the most striking aspects of "New Year's Eve" is its use of repetition and rhyme. Service employs a simple ABAB rhyme scheme throughout the poem, which gives it a sing-song quality that is both charming and memorable. He also repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, such as the idea of time as a "flurry of wild snow," which helps to reinforce the central themes and create a sense of unity and coherence.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of metaphor and symbolism. Service uses the image of the "frosty stars" to suggest the cold, dark, and mysterious nature of the night, while the "crunching snow" underfoot evokes a sense of movement and progress. He also uses the image of time as a river or a flow, which suggests both its unstoppable nature and its potential for renewal and change.
Overall, "New Year's Eve" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the holiday season. It reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of change, while also offering a message of hope and renewal. As we prepare to ring in the new year, let us take a moment to reflect on the past and look forward to the future, with all its promise and possibility.
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