The new year rages in the street
And howls for your egress
It neither called nor knocked the door
It enters nonetheless
The clocks strike twelve, the bells ring out
Just as they’ve always done
Whether you wanted it or not
A new year has begun
The house was warm, the night is cold
But that is no excuse
Out in the biting winter wind
The hugging mob is loose
Not only those who are alive
Have joined the shivering throng
All those we carried to their graves
Now likewise march along
And soon we recognise ourselves
For all our brave disguises
As skeletons in fancy dress
Whose teeth make rattling noises
