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Bright New Year

[Alec Thompson]

Arrowsmith:Robb sang Alec Thompson’s Bright New Year on their 2018 CD All the Salt. They noted:

A song of the seasons which feels traditional even though it isn’t.

Jess and Richard Arrowsmith returned to it in 2019 on Melrose Quartet’s CD The Rudolph Variations.

Lyrics

Melrose Quartet sing Bright New Year

Now all around is cold and chill,
But take good heart, fear no ill,
For through the frost of winter
Comes a bright new year.
    A bright new year,
    A bright new year
    For through the frost of winter
    Comes a bright new year.

Food and drink to make us grow,
Swell the seed that we would sow,
So comes the rain in springtime
And a bright new year.
    A bright new year,
    A bright new year
    So comes the rain in springtime
    And a bright new year.

Warmth and light to make us strong,
Bring the ripest fruit along
So comes the sun in summer
And a bright new year.

When harvest time has gone around
Blow out the chaff, clear the ground,
So comes the wind in autumn
And a bright new year.

So when all around is cold and chill,
Take good heart, fear no ill,
For through the frost of winter
Comes a bright new year.