HAPPY BIRTHDAY RABBIE!

Today is Robert Burns birthday. If you are a fan of Scotland, then you should be celebrating today. For Robert Burns was a great man, a great Scot, and worthy of a holiday.

Burns was a romancer, a farmer and a patriot. He is Scotland's favorite son.

He was born on January 25, 1759. He came from a poor farming background. Although he recieved a good education despite his family situation. He had a zests for the life of poetry, nature, women, and drink.

Some of his writings were political in nature...

Some were romantic...

And some downright scary....

The death of Robert Burns was very sad. The doctor advised him to go swimming in cold water to cure his rheumatic fever and instead got pneumonia. He died at 37.

Enjoy a good Burns Night and in the spirit of Burns, I write:

'Tis but more we wish and none we get,

A broken vow and promise.

Of which God sees and tells us,

We are frail afterall.

No bonnie reason for such tirade,

To swear to Him that is betrayed.

Of men of arms, and golden tributes,

We break bread as well as arms.

But in the heather is true blood,

Cast due to loyalty and of oath.

We celebrate the patriots who died,

And scorn those who fled.

For patriots are born to die,

And louts to wed.

We make peace by making war,

And taking her to bed.

BURNS CLUBS: A man is a man for a' that

Robert Burns Club in Ayr

Robert Burns is a National Hero in Scotland. His life is celebrated and honored as much as George Washington's in the United States. Some places in the US, will hail the fact the Washington slept there. The same thing happens in Scotland where towns claim to be a place where Burns lived. Click on the pictures in this entry to go to the various clubs. On their sites you can learn more about Burns and get a true impression of how Scots feel about Burns. It is something very unique.

If you would like to join a Burns club, here's a start. The World Federation.

Click on the image of Burns and join.

Click the picture to the left and watch a video to get you in the mood for Burns Night.

TO A HAGGIS by Robert Burns

1.Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!

Aboon them a' ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy of a grace

As lang's my arm.

2.The groaning trencher there ye fill,

Your hudies like a distant hill,

Your pin wad help to mend a mill

In time o' need,

While thro' your pores the dews distil

Like amber bead.

3.His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An' cut ye up wi' ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reeking, rich!

4.Then horn for horn, they stretch an' strive:

Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,

Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve

Are bent like drums;

Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,

'Bethankit!' hums.

5.Is there that owre his French ragout,

Or olio that wad staw a sow,

Or fricassee wad mak her spew

Wi perfect scunner,

Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view

On sic a dinner?

6.Poor devil! see him owre his trash,

As fecl;ess as a wither'd rash,

His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,

His nieve a nit;

Tho' bluidy flood or field to dash,

O how unfit.

7.But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread,

Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He'll make it whistle;

An' legs, an' arms, an' heads will sned

Like taps o' thrissle.

8.Ye pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o' fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware,

That jaups in luggies;

But if ye wish her gratfu' prayer,

Gie her a Haggis!

Burns Night

Burns night is January 25th. It is a ritual similar to Thanksgiving but with many differences. The first thing you will notice is the dress. Men wear kilts and woman in tartan dresses. The mood is extremely festive.

The haggis. It is the most important part of the night. It is going to be eaten and addressed (spoken of). You will not understand most of what is said, as the speeches are written in old Scottish tongue. But you will get the point.

Right now, Scotland is considering lobbying the United States to lift a ban on hagis, in hopes of boosting the sales of the sheep-stomach-based national dish. (click here for the full story)

I was lucky to be used as prop in the filming of how a proper "Burns Night Dinner" should be done. I was the "virgin American" and it was a great experience. The boys got in an argument on the pronouncation of one word. I can't quite remember what word although it was a fiery debate between the president of one Burns Club against the other. That's how serious it is.

"To the Haggis" is the first poem spoken and the one that cuts the haggis for the dinner to commence. Kind of like carving the turkey.

I went to an informal Burns night and the same poem is read but not one measures each word and action. It is said and dinner starts, however, part of their dinner was reading poetry about the guests and it was very fun.

The idea is to have fun. Burns loved to have fun and so to keep his spirit alive, Burns Nights should be exciting, with loud voices, good drink and food plus dancing.

More on Robbie Burns, tomorrow.

ROBERT BURNS

Robert Burns, poet, patriot and legend.

If there is one person you need to read about, it is Robert Burns. He is a legend in Scotland and his birthday celebration every year requires skill and knowledge to appreciate.

I was lucky enough to attend two Burns suppers in Scotland. In the next couple of days, I will provide ideas, stories and details about Burns supper. January 25th is his birthday and throughout Scotland, families, communities and all the rest will be celebrating with a dinner of haggis, neeps and tatties. A bottle of whisky will be emptied, songs will be sung, and dancing is a necessity. The joy of being a Scot will be celebrated.

Why? Robert Burns represents the spirit of Scotland for many reasons. He was a farmer and much debate is made of his farming. Some say he was unlucky and others say he was a poor farmer and much fiery debate will continue if you mention it.

As we prepare for the big night in the next few days, remember to be open minded and know that if you truly appreciate Scotland, you must appreciate this man. It is like not appreciating George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. In Robert Burns, his words define the nation.