IMMORTALITY: Robert Burns

Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796) (also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire and in Scotland as simply The Bard) was a poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a 'light' Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. However he also wrote in Standard English.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world. The celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.

Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759 in the village of Alloway, South Ayrshire, the eldest of the seven children of William Burns, a poor farmer. Despite his poverty, William Burns tried hard to give his children the best education he could afford. Robert went to school when he was six. Since his father could pay only for one pupil, Robert and his brother Gilbert attended school in turn. When not at school, the brothers helped their father in the fields. Robert also got a lot of his education from his father, who taught his children reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and history and also wrote for them A Manual Of Christian Belief. Both brothers together with some neighbors’ children were also taught Latin, French, and mathematics by John Murdoch (1747–1824) from 1765 to 1768. It was then that Robert became fond of reading.

The style of Burns is marked by directness and sincerity, and his variety ranges from the tenderness of some of his lyrics through the powerful humor and brilliant wit of Tam o' Shanter to the blistering satire of Holy Willie's Prayer.

Burns' poetry grew upon substantial knowledge of Classical, Biblical, and English literature, as well as the Scottish narrative tradition. Burns was skilled in writing not only in the Scots language but also in the Scottish English dialect of the English language. Some of his works, such as Love and Liberty (also known as The Jolly Beggars), are written in both Scots and English.

Right: A scene from Tam o' Shanter.

 

Robert Burns is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. For the Scots all over the world he has become a cultural icon. His birthday is celebrated as a national holiday. In 2009 he was voted by the Scottish public as being the Greatest Scot, through a vote run by Scottish television channel STV.
 
The Burns Supper can be a formal or informal occasion and is a celebration of Robert Burns, a chance to enjoy his works and eat and drink some fine Scottish food and drink. A more formal Burns Supper will follow the format below: 

Piping In The Guests
Guests are piped into the Burns supper ceremony by a Pipe Major and the top table guests are the last to be seated. More formal Burns Suppers may see their guests to their tables and have a piped procession just for the top table guests. As they enter the room the other guests will stand in their honour and clap. 

Burns Night Speeches
The speaker or chairman of the event gives a small welcome speech. Sometimes a prayer is given and at most Burns suppers the Selkirk Grace is recited in the Scots dialect.

Some hae meat and canna eat,
and some wad eat that want it,
but we hae meat and we can eat,
and sae the Lord be thankit.

Other Burns Night speeches are more in the form of toasts:


Immortal Memory: There are examples of Immortal Memory toasts but generally it is a small talk about the importance of Robert Burns to Scotland and how honoured Scots are to be able to read his works. 

The Toast To The Lassies: A toast to the ladies is made, in recognition of Burns' love for the lassies! It is called the toast to the lassies and is sometimes spelt toast to the lasses. His poem To The Lassies is a popular recital and some jokes should be made. This speech and toast should be light hearted and humorous.


The Toast To The Laddies: The women have an opportunity to reply to the toast of the lassies which is humorously called the Toast Tae The Laddies! In this funny toast they give a funny view on men talking about their various shortcomings. 

Burns Night Menu
Most Burns Suppers will consist of a large haggis being piped into the room by a Pipe Major. The

guests will usually stand during the piping of the haggis. The haggis is carried on a gleaming silver tray usually by the VIP guest or the chef. The haggis, or beastie as it is often nicknamed, is placed at the top table. The piper will then stop playing the bagpipes and the clapping stops. The haggis is then cut open by the speaker who will recite some of Robert Burns' poems, usually Address To A Haggis which extols the virtue of haggis over other dishes.The haggis is served with neeps and tatties (turnip or swede and potatoes known by Scottish people as chappit or champit tatties and bashit or bashed neeps).

Entertainment at A Burns Night

After the supper, or between courses, speakers may entertain with musings and anecdotes of Burns or more recitings of his work, songs and poems. Musicians and singers will sing and perform the songs of Robert Burns such as My Luve is Like a Red Red Rose. Tam O'Shanter is a common poem to recite on Burns night, as are The Cotter's Saturday Night and Holy Willie's Prayer. A popular work to recite is The Immortal Memory that pays tribute to the talent of Robert Burns.

 
The evening is usually rounded off with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.  

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.

Dress Code for Burns Night Supper

A more formal Burns Night supper ceremony may require a black tie dress code of dinner jacket and bow tie or a kilt or Highland dress for the men and evening dress for the ladies. Less formal Burns Night suppers, perhaps those held in a local community centre or pub may allow the gents to wear a suit or sports jacket and tie with smart trousers whilst women can wear smart clothing of skirts and trousers and blouses or other tops. At the least it is expected that every guest will wear an article of tartan clothing such as a tartan tie, tartan skirt, tartan trousers or even tartan socks or tartan tights. The dress code for the Burns Night supper should be stated on the invitation or ticket.