The Old Year And The New Poem by John Godfrey Saxe

Goodbye, Old Year!- I can but say,
Sadly I see thee passing away;
Passing away with the hopes and fears,
The bliss and pain, the smiles and tears,
That come to us all in all the years.

Good by, Old Year!- Little indeed
Thy friendly voice we were wont to heed,
Telling us, warning us every day:-
'Transient mortals! work and pray;
You, like me, are passing away!'

Goodbye, Old Year!- Whatever may be
The sins and stains thou hast chanced to see,
Consider, O Year! to purge the same,
And wash away the sin and shame,
Whilst thou wert passing, CHRISTMAS came!

Goodbye, Old Year!- With words of grace
Leave us to him who takes thy place;
And say, Old Year, unto the New,
'Kindly, carefully, carry them through,
For much, I ween, they have yet to do!'