Spectator competition winners: an alternative to ‘Auld Lang Syne’

Your new year’s challenge was to supply an anthem to usher in 2019, starting with the first line of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and continuing in your own way. ‘Is not the Scotch phrase “Auld lang syne” exceedingly expressive?’ wrote Robert Burns to his friend Frances Dunlop in 1788, referring to the words of an old folk song that he had heard, written down and later sent to James Johnson, who published it in the Scots Musical Museum. These days, of course, those words are sung with gusto by the inebriated the world over on New Year’s Eve — an expression of fellowship and nostalgia. Not much of that in the entry, needless to say. Though the occasional sliver of cheeriness (C. Paul Evans, Tim Raikes) leavened the gloom, the mood was mostly waspish and weary. The winners pocket £25 each. Happy New Year!

Brian Murdoch Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind, Twenty-eighteen’s anither year It’s guid tae leave behind.

They talked Brexit in parliament, Six hundred folk and a’, And gin they talked til kingdom come, It wouldnae gang awa.

A parcel of befuddled rogues! Naebody kens for sure How much and when we’ll a’ be screwed, And whit’s it all been for.

The cup has got nae kindness in’t, The brose is awfu’ cauld.