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Tonight is Burns Night and Scots all over the world will be celebrating the life and works of Scottish poet Robert Burns. So to all my brothers and sisters wherever ye are .......

Here’s what Burns Night is all about.

Who was Robert Burns.
A Scots poet who lived from 1759 until 1796, when he died of rheumatic heart disease. Burns’ poetry celebrated the working man and is still popular today.

What poems did Burns write then?
Auld Lang Syne for a start. He also wrote this.

To A Mouse

Wee sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an chase thee,
Wi murdering pattle!



What happens on Burns Night?
Whisky will be drunk, poems read and traditional Scots food will be eaten.

Importantly, the haggis will be piped in as the bagpiper leads a procession from the kitchen followed by the chef holding a haggis aloft.

The host then recites the Address To A Haggis before ceremoniously slicing the sheep’s-bladder delicacy.

A whiskey toast is then drunk.

More toasts follow, including the Toast To The Lassies followed by Reply to the Toast to the Lassies.

The whiskey will flow and you’ll be singing in your best Scottish accent by the time the final Auld Lang Syne is sung.


Auld Lang Syne

1788


Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,
Sin' auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

"Traditional Scots food will be eaten".

Chicken korma or tikka with deep fried Mars bars for pudding?

"More toasts follow".

Surely not? Scottish people legless on Burns night, who would have thunk it?

Joking aside, hope all you "Jockanese" people have a great night tonight!





Blimey....... gonna get grief now for racist remarks

I once lived in a wee village where all streets are named after poets. I lived on Elliot Street, which was just off Burns Ave.

Thanks Eric for opening that small window into Scottish culture! I'll raise a glass in Burn's honour!

Quote:

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Chicken korma or tikka

---

Surely these two are traditional Birmingese food?

I know, I know. Don't call you "Surely"

I got no scotch in the house.But I think Mr Burns would approve of my tasting some knob creek in his honor! Heres to ya!!!

Sounds like a fellow who deserves a toast so tonight when I hoist that cup o'scotch I'll remember Robert Burns.

Eric
Here's the rest of " To A Mouse"


I’m truly sorry man’s dominion
has broken nature’s social union
An’ justifies that ill opinion
Which makes thee startle
At me, thy poor, earthborn companion
And fellow mortal

I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;
What then? Poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen icker in a thrave
‘S a sma request;
I’ll get a blessin wi’ the lave,
An’ never miss’t!

Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!
It’s silly wa’s the win’s are strewin!
An’ naething, now, to big a new ane,
O’ foggage green!
An’ bleak December’s win’s ensuin,
Baith snell an’ keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an’ waste,
An’ weary winter comin fast,
An’ cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash! The cruel coulter past
Out thro’ thy cell.

Thy wee bit heap o’ leaves an’ stibble,
Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!
Now thou’s turned out, for a’ thy trouble,
But house or hald,
To thole the winter’s sleety dribble,
An’ cranreuch cauld!

But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief and pain,
For promis’d joy!

Still thou art blest, compared wi’ me!
The present only toucheth thee;
But och! I backward cast my e’e,
On prospects drear!
An’ forward tho’ I canna see,
I guess an’ fear!

I had the traditional Burns supper tonight, Haggis, Neeps an'Tatties.
Washed down with 18 year old Glenmorangie.
Very nice it was.

All I got is Aberfeldy 12 year, I think it'll do. I don't have haggis and wouldn't know what to do with it. My Scotish heritage is quite watered down.

The scotch is great, I'm all for any excuse for a taste. The Haggis though... Hopefully it was better than what I tried. This guy sells a double dose of things I'd rather not try again.

Haggis

Tatties

Scotch

Neeps