Hey, hey! Today is Robert Burns’ birthday. It is a National holiday in Scotland. (Can you imagine a national holiday in America for a poet?) I picked up this gorgeous to the touch, gorgeous to the eye, and gorgeous to the ear collection of poetry on one of my high holy days (annual book sale). I may even bring this with me to Scotland.
If we were in Scotland tonight, we’d go to a Burns Supper.
Forgive me if I get a bit excessive. How does one limit oneself to one poem of Burns? Here are excerpts from some of my favorites.
from To A Mouse
Wee, sleekit, cowrin’, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi’ bick’ring brattle!
♫ ♫ ♫
from Winter (A Dirge)
The wintry west extends his blast,
And hail and rain does blaw:
Or, the stormy north sends driving forth,
The blinding sleet and snaw:
♫ ♫ ♫
from Address to the Unco Guid, or the Rigidly Righteous
O Ye wha are sae guid yoursel,
Sae pious and sae holy,
Ye’ve nought to do but mark and tell
Your neebor’s fauts and folly!
♫ ♫ ♫
from Contented Wi’ Little
My mirth and guid humor are coin in my pouch,
And my freedom’s my lairdship nae monarch dare touch.
♫ ♫ ♫
from Up in the Morning Early
Up in the morning’s no for me,
Up in the morning early;
When a’ the hills are cover’d wi’ snaw,
I’m sure it’s winter fairly.
A Living Pencil 
I particularly like the one which mentions mirth and guid humor as coins in my pouch. Mentioned something much like that this week…I guess I have currency and the economy on the brain here.
Off to look for a site where I can listen to the the brogue.
Dana, if you follow the link in the post, you’ll hear the prayer in the brogue.
Oh, I see your link, but I’m thinking Cindy shared one with us, too.
I surely do miss her.
I’m a big Bobbie Burns fan as well! What a lovely find, the book!
Don’t have to be in Scotland to enjoy a Burn’s night dinner! I WILL NOT attempt a haggis but I plan cock-a-leeky soup, then tatties, neeps, steak and some chranachan for afters! Lovely stuff, magistra, when you are there, you should try some chranachan!
(A cheesey, raspberry, oaty mousse, to die for!)
I love your blog! Check out mine? Don’t forget to comment! Come see all my thoughts, hopes, dreams, and opinions! And tell your friends on xanga, so they can comment too. Thanks!–poetrhyme
Great Post! Thanks for sharing!! Poetry Contest