January 25th is the birthday of Scotland’s National Bard, the much-loved Robert Burns.
So today I pay tribute with some words from Oor Rabbie, who believed that all men were created equal:
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 coming yet for a’ that,
That Man to Man, the world o’er,
Shall brothers be for a’ that.
bear the gree = come to the fore
But he was also a romantic:
Ye banks and braes o’ bonnie Doon
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair?
How can ye chaunt, ye little birds,
And I sae weary, fu’ o’ care.
Ye’ll break my heart, ye warbling birds
That wanton through the flowery thorn,
Ye mind me o’ departed joys,
Departed, never to return.
and even in English:
But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white–then melts for ever;
Thanks, Rabbie, and Happy Birthday, wherever you are.
second post I have seen for the poet and framer Burns – and happy bday to this treasure
Sorry, this went to Spam. Good to know you appreciate Mr Burns!
Had to listen to the audio, for the brogue!
I hope it wasn’t too much of a letdown, Liz!
Naw. It was fun!
Good to read – and hear – him today, he knew a thing or two.
What the world has become would surely ‘break his heart’, but I reckon he’d lift his pen and get ‘tore in’ – oh, wait, he already did:
‘Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine;
A Man’s a Man for a’ that
….
The honest man, tho’ e’er sae poor,
Is king o’ men for a’ that.’
I think he summed up the bloated bawheid across the pond:
Ye ugly, creepan, blastet wonner,
Detested, shunn’d, by saunt an’ sinner,
I looked up some quotes of his and liked this one: “Life is but a day at most.” Hope your day has been/will be a good one.
I thought this might be more your style, dear lady:
Whare sits our sulky, sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
It was lovely to hear your voice again.
You’re too kind, Jodi, thank you.
Aye… and aye! Rabbie Burns – but no haggis available (sadly).
None here either, Chris, but it rained today so it felt like home!