Friday, 25 January 2008

Robert Burns

Today is the 249th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's famous poet and writer. Contrary to popular belief, Burns was able to write in the King's English as well as Scots dialect. Supper tonight will not include haggis, in spite of Scots First Minister Alex Salmond's praise for the master of the puddin' race, as I do not particularly relish offal. Will post the recipe in an entry on Recipe Book, see if you'd like to try it out. 

I'll copy Burns's most famous poem here:

Is there, for honest poverty
That hings his head, and a' that;
The coward-slave we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, and a' that
Our toils obscure, and 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, and 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 and a' that;
The honest man, though e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for 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, and a' that.
For a' that and a' that.
It's comin yet for a' that
That Man to Man the warld o'er,
Shall brothers be for a' that

3 comments:

  1. Whoo-Hoo I love haggis and I have had some wonderful Burns evenings out celebrating in my younger days.Thanx for sharing the poem.Take Care God Bless Kath astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

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  2. My favorite Burns poem is "To a Louse":

    Oh wad some pow'r the giftie gie us
    To see oursel's as ithers see us.
    It wad fro' mony a blunder free us,
    And foolish notion...

    ;^)  Jan the Gryphon
    http://journals.aol.com/gryphondear/Gryphondears-Word-of-the-Day

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  3. This poem's sentiments still apply the world over to people who work hard but do not make a lot of money at what they do.  I like the Scottish brogue, too.  Gerry

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