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Robert Burns Day, Burns Day Supper, Rabbie Burns Guide & Tips

by Sudha Krishna | January 22, 2010 at 02:48 pm

5368 views | 14 Recommendations | 3 comments

Robert Burns, Scotland's Bard, the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire, or simply Rabbie Burns, many names are used to describe Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland. Burns was born on January 25, 1759 in Alloway, South Ayrshire, Scotland which means it is time for the Robert Burns Day Supper and maybe some Haggis.

Robert Burns wrote both in Scottish and English and was known as one of the pioneers of the romantic movement . An outspoken social critic and blunt political commentator Burns hated slavery, cherished liberty, and was deeply suspicious of the excesses of the Church. Robert Burns inspired later Liberals and Socialists in England. Robert Burns most famous composition is Auld Land Syne and others including; A Man's A Man For That. A Red, Red Rose, and Tam O'Shanter.

Robert Burns Day is celebrated in Scotland and around the world with the Robert Burns Supper or simply Burns Day Suppers. The first Burns Day Supper dates back to 1802 and was held in Greenock in Scotland's Central Lowlands. Ever since the Scottish Diaspora has transformed the Burns Day Supper to a world wide event.

The Burns Day Supper has followed the same format for centuries. Friends and Family gather, often sipping fine Scotch. The evening begins with the Selkirk Grace. - a poem attributed to Robert Burns. A bagpiper usually escorts the main dish, the Haggis (a gut of a sheep stuffed with oats and spices), into the dining room. The Address To A Haggis is delivered and the Haggis is cut open and served with other traditional Scottish food.

The immortal memory is then read. It is essentially a speech that outlines the life, work and impact of Robert Burns and his poetry is read during the supper. The evening often concludes with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Robert Burns died on July 21, 1796

Robert Burns Day Related Stories and Resources

Robert Burns Day Haggis Supper Guide

Robert Burns Day Poem and Lyrics

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mudricky

at 04:44 on January 24th, 2010

Here is my favorite Rabbie Burns poem:

Jolly Beggars: Merry Andrew

Sir Wisdom's a fool when he's fou;
Sir Knave is a fool in a session;
He's there but a 'prentice I trow,
But I am a fool by profession.

My grannie she bought me a beuk,
An' I held awa to the school;
I fear I my talent misteuk,
But what will ye hae of a fool?

For drink I would venture my neck;
A hizzie's the half of my craft;
But what could ye other expect
Of ane that's avowedly daft?

I ance was tied up like a stirk,
For civilly swearing and quaffin;
I ance was abus'd i' the kirk,
For towsing a lass i' my daffin.

Poor Andrew that tumbles for sport,
Let naebody name wi' a jeer;
There's even, I'm tauld, i' the Court
A tumbler ca'd the Premier.

Observ'd ye yon reverend lad
Mak faces to tickle the mob;
He rails at our mountebank squad, -
It's rivalship just i' the job.

And now my conclusion I'll tell,
For faith I'm confoundedly dry;
The chiel that's a fool for himsel',
Guid Lord! he's far dafter than I.

hidflect

at 16:59 on January 24th, 2010

It's quite something to wander into the Engineer's portacabin as I did a few years ago and find 2 of the "hard as nails" Scottish engineers blubbing while the other is reading out Burns poetry. It was like the Twighlight Zone...