Sconemac's Scottish - Robert Burns, the Man and His Poetry
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Robert Burns, the Poet & the Man
by Nancy MacCorkill,FSA Scot
~~{Scone}~~
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SCOTLAND'S MOST BELOVED POET
This page is about the man, more than the poetry, and about the park dedicated to him in Scotland. Some poetry is included, selected pieces, that is all. I will put a link at the bottom of this page for the poetry lovers. There are some sites committed to all of his poetry and it would be redundant to have more poetry here.
In this year 2008, we have another Anniversay of the birth of Robert Burns, lovingly called Scotland's Most Loved Poet.
In the United States and Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and wherever Scots have settled, there are various Robert Burns' Nights; Burns Celebration Days; Burns Breakfasts; Burns Dinners, etc. All centered around good eating, some with good drinking and always an abundance of Burns' stories and Burns' poetry. These are presented by Scottish Societies all over the U.S.A. The celebration is for the enjoyment of the Scottish Societies but also to promote and enjoy Robert Burns and his work, and also preserving his work for generations to come.
The last few years there has been a worldwide "Robert Burns Supper" around the world. It was launched on Jan 25, linking countries by TV and satellite to celebrate. I understand millions of computers were involved again, with the number increasing every year. Similar dinners, and other forms of celebrations are also occuring in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and of course Scotland. Of course, wherever a Scot is living around the globe, they are also celebrating with us.
The focus was once again from Ayr, it linked Burns suppers around the globe, broadcasts also live and on video for posterity and the promotion of Robbie Burns for future generations.
It also marked the annual anniversary of the 'Burns National Heritage Centre and Park a four acre, lanscaped, gardens with shaded areas for visitors to sit under tall trees of ash, chestnut, elder and birch, -- open seven days a week except Christmas and New Years Day. The former Land o' Burns Centre in Alloway, became Burns Center Alloway and is one of Scotland's most interesting tourists attractions. Featuring "The Tam o Shanter Experience" complete with a bridge as the 'Brig O'Doon' featured in the poem "Tam O' Shanter". The park contains The Burns Cottage; Museum; Monument and Gardens, the Auld Alloway Kirk and Brig O' Doon, and features a 100 seat custom-built Tam O' Shanter Auditorium.
Burns Cottage was restored in 1993 with audio/visual presentation about Burns early life as a lad. The Burns experience near the cottage features 'A Tam O' Shanter Experience', lasting about 15 minutes, wherein the audience is treated to a dramatic reading of the famous poem while a triple screen theater set using computer controlled back and front projection for the three-dimensional effects and sound which cheer an engrossed audience, who are made to feel as if they are riding with 'Tam O' Shanter, on his famous journey from Hight Street, in Ayr to the 'Brig'. where he was pursued by witches, (in the famous poem.) The whole story is played out before your eyes.
There is a restaurant located in the park featuring (what else?) Scottish foods and a gift shop. In 1996 a carriage service between Park and Cottage was instituted, it is not a long walk, but for some who are not "up to par" or are disabled, it was definitely needed.
The birthplace of Scotland's National Poet, has been a well visited place for Burns enthusiasts for years. Robert was the elder of 7 children born to Wm Burnes (it was spelled Burnes in his father's day); a market-gardener and Agnes Jones Brown Burnes, his mother.
The cottage was built by William's own hands. It sat on 7 1/2 acres of land. Here, amid hardship and poverty William saw to it that his sons were well educated. Robert was an avid reader, developing a command of vocabulary and literary English and a love of folk songs. His mother could not read, but knew many old songs and sang them to the family.
Robbie Burns, entered the world on a cold January day. He was born in the kitchen of the one story humble dwelling built by his father. He was born in the kitchen area, as it was a small cottage.
While in Edinburgh he met two publishers, James Johnson and George Thompson. Two music publishers, to whose collection of songs, Burns was contributing right up until his death in 1796. Burns first love was song. He had a keen ear for music and a keen sense of rhythm. Many of his original manuscripts are on display at the museum, in the park, and many 1st Editions of the works of Robert Burns are there in the museum. Robert Burns rescued some 360 folk songs,polished the old work or wrote new ones (those were his Dumfrieshire years).
He penned his earliest poems when he was but fifteen and he never composed a song without first having a tune in his head. It becomes quickly apparent he was much more than a poet, but also a song writer and a lyricist.
Among the Museum's treasures is the original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne, which hangs on one wall. It was written by Burns as a greeting song, but soon became an endearing 'parting' song. It is sung, and revered, all over the world.
The Bard's works are as fresh today as they were when written. His memory is indeed immortal and one expects at any moment to see him sitting in the cottage or museum, at the desk, penning books, songs, lyrics. Books piled around him, (I like to think, like mine are around me as I write) doing what he loved most, writing.
Robert Burns died on July 21, 1796. So? Why is Burns night celebrated on Jan 25th ?, he was born on January 25, 1759, when a "blast o' Janwar' in' blew hansel." he died ....at the age of 37. We celebrate his life on January 25, with as much gusto, as he lived his.
As we immortalize our poet, let us all remember that as a talented artist, and a handsome man, Burn's had many an affair, as distressed fathers kept a steady eye on their pretty young lasses; held guard over them, lest the infamous affairs with the lassies, would next touch their very own daughters. It is always remembered that Burn's was a wonderful poet with a sense of rhyme and his intricate patterns of verse to be admired by all. However, to put it kindly Mr. Burns had a short life, but he interjected as much romance into his life, and his love of the ladies was legendary, .....as well as his desire to be with his fellow Scots in their own taverns, enjoying performing poems for the admiring groups. Ahhh!, we love you, Robbie Burns!
The appropriate poem for this spot would be "Tam O' Shanter, his most famous poem, but it is much to long. I will put up some of Robert Burn's poems on new pages, but there are so many Burns' buffs, that it would be redundant to put too many on my site. I will continue to add information about Robert Burns as time goes by, and hope to keep the page fresh, with memories of the Bard
However, I have chosen, I think, an appropriate, if not smaller poem for this spot, - for now.
Nancy MacCorkill, F.S.A.Scot USA
Author, Poet
Historian of the Ancient Clans of Scotland.
"©All rights reserved 01/10/2001, inclusive, for Scone's Scottish Internet Book, Nancy MacCorkill
page by ©Dreamspinner
Nancy MacCorkill, Webmaster.
OF A' THE AIRTS
I dearly like the west,
For there the bonie lassie lives,
The lassie I lo'e best:
There wild woods grow, and rivers row,
And monnie a hill between;
But day and night my fancy's flight
Is ever wi' my Jean.
I see here sweet and fair:
I hear her in the tunefu' birds,
I hear her charm the air:
There's not a bonnie flower that springs
By fountain, shaw, or green,
There's not a bonnie bird that sings,
But minds me o' my Jean
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This was written at Ellisland, in June 1788. Burns said of it: "This song I composed out of compliment to Mrs. Burns. -- It was during the honeymoon."....R.B.
I Present to you -- this Robert Burns Celebration
-- however you celebrate -- where ever you celebrate --
"Scotland's Most Beloved Poet", a toast to you, Mr. Burns.......
Slainte!,
from Scone! and her friends.
Nancy MacCorkill, F.S.A. Scot USA
Sources: Robert Burns, Poet
Robert Burns Home
Robert Burns Centre
Here's freedom to him that wad write,
There's nan ever fear'd the truth should be heard
But they wham the truth wad indite.
-Robert Burns
There's nan ever fear'd the truth should be heard
But they wham the truth wad indite.
-Robert Burns
![[IMAGE]](gifs/gifs/aniscot-fla.gif) |
When he wrote "SUCH A PARCEL OF ROGUES IN A NATION"......,
Feelings ran high (and continue to do so) over the Act of Union, 1707, which suppressed Scotland's Parliament and her existence as an independent political entity. The `parcel of rogues' were the "31 Scottish commissioners" who sold out to England, and were well rewarded with land and money for their treachery.
The Sark and the Tweed are the rivers marking the western and eastern borders with England. Burns, being a placeman of the London government because of his position in the Excise, never acknowledged his authorship of this song in his lifetime.
Fareweel our ancient glory!
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae famed in martial story!
Now Sark rins over Solway sands,
An Tweed rins to the ocean,
To mark where England's province stands ---
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
What force or guile could not subdue
Thro many warlike ages
Is wrought now by a coward few
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English steel we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane ---
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
O, would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour, Lyrics by Robert Burns Presented for your enjoyment.
I'll make this declaration:-
`We're bought and sold for English gold' ---
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
Song by Robert Burns
.......and another gem by Robert Burns:
Nancy MacCorkill, F.S.A. Scot USA
RETURN TO THE BOOK MENU
RETURN TO THE INDEX PAGE
.....Scone
N.A. MacCorkill, FSA Scot USA,
Author, Poet,
Historian of the Ancient Clans of Scotland, Accredited.
Nancy MacCorkill, MacLeod-Gunn, FSA Scot,
Author, Poet, Journalist,
Historian of the Ancient Clans of Scotland
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