Burns Night

Coming Through The Rye by Robert Burns

Coming thro' the rye, poor body,

Coming thro' the rye,

She draiglet a' her petticoatie

Coming thro' the rye.

O, Jenny's a' wat, poor body;

Jenny's seldom dry;

She draiglet a' her petticoatie

Coming thro' the rye.

Gin a body meet a body

Coming thro' the rye,

Gin a body kiss a body—

Need a body cry?

Gin a body meet a body

Coming thro' the glen,

Gin a body kiss a body—

Need the warld ken?

January 25th 1759 is always presumned to be the birthdate of Scotlands most famous and prolific poet Robert Burns. He was born in the village of Alloway, Ayrshire in Scotland to a poor Tennant Farmer and eventually became Scotland most prolific poet with 579 poems and songs accredited to him. Apart from the song above and 'My Love is Like a Red Red Rose' the song the most people around the world know and sing every New Years Eve is 'Auld lang Syne'. Written in 1788. His love of hard drink, politics and the ladies, not necessarily in that order shortened this life to a mere 37 years. Incredible to think one person could write so much in such a short time. No wonder he became Scotlands national treasure.

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

,And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,

And surely I'll be mine!

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pu'd the gowans fine;

But we've wandered mony a weary fit

Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne,my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidled i' the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roared

Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,

And gie's a hand o' thine!

And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

A traditional 'Burns Night' supper would be a full blown formal meal with guests in Kilts and evening dress. They would be lead to the meal by a 'Piper' A typical meal would be Cocka Leekie soup followed by Haggis, 'Bashit Neeps' and 'Champit Tatties' . The sweet course would be Cloutie Dumplin' or 'Typsy Laird' followed by a cheese board and bannocks.

The haggis would be carried to the table on a silver platter by the chef to the muspc of the piped followed by the person who will'Address the Haggis' and the Whiskey Bearer to ensure the toasts are well lubricated! Burns Night celebrations are not just comfined to Scotland but celebrated all over the world.