New Years Russian Style

I was invited to come home with a friend for New Years. She is from a town in another part of Tatarstan. It was so lovely being in a family for a few days! One of Russia's traditions I love most is the way they sing. When people are gathered somewhere and there is a guitar around (or even if there isn't a guitar), someone will start singing and pretty soon the whole group will be following along in various versions of keys to some old folk song or melody from an old movie. (it usually helps if they had a little to drink first) One of my favorite Russian songs connected with New Years is called "If You Have." It is played in Russia's beloved New Years movie that everyone watches while they're making dinner on New Years Eve. Its called The Irony of Fate or Have a Nice Bath (loose translation). Here is a translation of the song, although in English it sometimes comes out a little awkward.

If you don't have a house
Then its not horrible when it burns down
And your wife wont leave you for another
If you don't have a wife

If you don't have a dog,
Then he wont bother the neighbors
And you wont have fights with your friends
You you don't have any friends

If you dont have an aunt
Then you won loose her
And if you aren't living
Then you wont die.

chorus: (or part of it)
Think for yourself
Decide for yourself
To have or not to have
To have or not to have.

There's some holiday cheer for you. Hope you all had a great New Year. In grand Russian style, I wish you happiness, health, success, and all that is best in this coming year. :)