Later today, I’ll be heading, with my better half, to Burns’ country, to meet up with some old friends and celebrate a Burns’ Supper. The invite included instructions to prepare a song or poem for the company. I decided to pen my own ode to Burns.
Aw, Rabbie, did ye know ye wid be famous
An’ aw ye did and said wid come tae be
The talk ae aw the closes an’ the places
Fae Ayr tae pairts ye never got tae see
An’ dae ye think ye’d huv done it ony diff’rent
Reined it in a bit so’s fowk wid think
That ye wur jist a poet, no’ a man wi’
Loadsa nibs, an’ aw ae them chock fu’ a’ ink!
Did ye think ye’d ever grace the tables
Ae lords an’ ladies an’ the likes ye sconced
Wid ye join them noo or wid ye banish, tae hell an’ back
The same wans, as then, that widnae gie response
Ye were mair than poet, ye were human
An’ fashions chainge, they come an’ gang, it’s true
Bit the likes ae you, that said and did it aw wi’ flair, yer ain wey
Never age or dee, mibbe this ye knew
We haver noo, we’re aw pc an’ pish talk
An’ the wans that struttet then still govern noo
Ye’d still be pennin’ poems, walkin’ yer ain walk
Revealin’ rotten eggs, an’ flingin’ mair than jist a few
Bugger aw the ilk that squaash crea’ive
An’ hell mend aw the fowk that pit oan airs
Here’s tae wan that lived and dee’d wi’ passion
Lang life, in death, guid man, lang syne, in suppers, everywhere
Omgosh I love the words!!!!!!!!
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Good poem, as pleasing to the ear as your singing
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Many thanks, Derrick. I’m looking forward to it. 🙂
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Enjoy the event
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he was always difficult for this most un-Scot to read, but your vocal is a joy – you’re a bonnie lass, Anne-Marie (and that’s about the extent of my Scottish idiom repertoire)
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That’ll do me, Paul. Lass beats wummin any day of the week. 🙂 Thanks for listening. I know it’s not easy to wrap your tongue round the written words in Scots. Hopefully, the spoken version made some sense. 🙂
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oh, it did, indeed
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An impressive tribute
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Is this to the “immortal memory?” 🙂
It’s lovely. Thank you for sharing. We are celebrating late this year-our Supper will be next Saturday. You should hear our Southern American attempts at reading Burns! I’m sure it’s quite amusing. Have a wonderful time!
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The ‘immortal memory’ was done by a friend from Burns’ own territory and was outstanding, reflecting on the universal appeal of Burns. The guy was a star turn. This was one of my contributions to the night along with Ae Fond Kiss to open the entertainment. With representation from Ireland, England as well as Scotland the accents were varied and charming. I’m sure Southern US would have been equally so. I hope you have as festive a night next weekend. 🙂
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I loved it when I read it and now that I’ve heard you read it, I adore it. Lovely voice you and the ode to Burns outstanding.
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