Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.

Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.

Now the New Year reviving old Desires, The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires.