Robert Burns
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This years Burns Night on the 25th of January will mark a special occasion for Scots. It will not just be another annual birthday celebration for Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. It will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the day that The Bard was born.
Robert Burns was born in 1759 in Alloway in Ayrshire, Scotland. The eldest of seven children, he moved to Edinburgh. Burns went on to write some of the most revered works of poetry ever put to page that has made him a Scottish cultural icon.
However, his influence has travelled way beyond Scotland. His Great works have confirmed his reputation down the years as Scotland’s best poet and well outlived its author.
Burn’s composition `Auld Lang Syne` is recited at midnight on New Years Eve all over the world and you don’t need to be a lover of poetry to be familiar with the beautiful love poem A Red Red Rose. Who can deny the brilliance of ` `The Battle of Sherramuir`, `Tam O`Shanter` and A Mans A Mans For A `That`;
Is there for honest Poverty
That hings his head, an’ a’ that;
The coward slave-we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a’ that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that.
Our toils obscure an’ a’ that,
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp,
The Man’s the gowd for a’ that.What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an’ a that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine;
A Man’s a Man for a’ that:
For a’ that, and a’ that,
Their tinsel show, an’ a’ that;
The honest man, tho’ e’er sae poor,
Is king o’ men for a’ that.Ye see yon birkie, ca’d a lord,
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that;
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a coof for a’ that:
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
His ribband, star, an’ a’ that:
The man o’ independent mind
He looks an’ laughs at a’ that.A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that;
But an honest man’s abon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
Their dignities an’ a’ that;
The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth,
Are higher rank than a’ that.Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a’ that,)
That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an’ a’ that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
It’s coming yet for a’ that,
That Man to Man, the world o’er,
Shall brothers be for a’ that.
Like many great poets, Robert Burns drew a great deal of inspiration on his own life experiences; the poem `Ae Fond Kiss` for example was inspired by romantic correspondences that Burns sent to his love Agnes Nancy McLehose.
Sadly, Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, died on the 21st of July, 1796, at the age of only 37. However, down through the years since his death, his work and legacy have survived down through the ages while country of Scotland has gone through many upheavals including repelling of Draconian laws, renaissance, rebellion and revolution.
Through depression, recession and world war, Burn’s poetry prevailed and people still read and recite it and enjoy Burns poetry just as they always have, and probably will forever.
Homecoming Scotland
Homecoming Scotland
The Year of Homecoming Starts Here!
Scotland’s Homecoming year, which marks the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth, officially opens with a weekend of celebrations in his honour… Over the weekend of 23rd-25th January events are planned throughout Scotland kicking off the 10-month national programme featuring more than 300 events.