… today marks 248 years that the world has known the genius of Robert Burns, the Immortal Bard….. he was born on this day in 1759 in Ayrshire, Scotland, and his poetry has touched the hearts of millions…. including my blackened, shriveled ticker…..
… one of my fondest memories of Burns’ poetry happened nearly ten years ago…. I sat on my sofa in Scotland and heard his song “A Man’s A Man” being sung at the opening of the first session of the new Scottish Parliament back in 1999…..
“A Man’s A Man 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, an 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 you birkie ca'd 'a lord,'
What struts, an stares, an a' that?
Tho hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a cuif 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 aboon his might -
Guid faith, he mauna 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 comin yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world, o'er
Shall brithers be for a' that.
…. Happy birthday, Rabbie….. you were a man that I’d like to meet….. oh, and a happy birthday shout-out to Matty of Blackfive as well……
Good on ya. Hope you invoke the Selkirk Grace before you Address the Haggis, boyo.
Bullshitted by Velociman on January 25, 2007 08:53 PMYou certainly do know how to pick 'em, sir...
Bullshitted by Jean on January 25, 2007 08:53 PM... Velociman and Jean, hey, this is a solemn night..... well, as solemn as they get around here....
.... so we'll keep on trucking and digging Burns' poems..... I hope you guys do too....
Let's see any rapper or 'voice of the people'
today try to match a'that.
Won't ever happen.
Poems and songs and books that speak of character, while not gone, are buried under piles of garbage which receive raves by our supposed betters.
Robert Burns' birthday?
Geez, I don't know how I missed that one on the calendar.
A toast! To Robert Burns! May we all aspire to be just like him.
I celebrated the day appropriately, with a "wee dram" of Scotch whisky. Naw, make that a honkin' tumbler full. Hic.
Oh, wad some power the giftie gie 'em
To see themsels as others see 'em!
Frae th' tyranny o' the bladder free 'em
Sae after a wee dram they'd nae hae tae pee 'em.
Damn... I think Elisson is channelling...
Bullshitted by Jean on January 26, 2007 09:24 PMTGOO was master of ceremony for the local Burns' birthday celebration. What a great night, men in kilts, hagus, bagpipes, poetry and scotch. The hagus and scotch I can do without :-)
Bullshitted by h~ on January 26, 2007 11:14 PM