celebrating Robert Burns

Around the world, people are gathering to celebrate the life and work of Scottish poet Robert Burns, most especially on Burns night on 25 January. There will toasts to the haggis, toasts to the lassies, and replies from those lassies as well, all in honor and remembrance of the ploughman poet. His gift for words and rhythm, supported his keen eye for romance, social justice, and humor, and his love for the landscape of Scotland all show up in his work. Charlie Is My Darlin’, Auld Lang Syne, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, a Man’s a Man for A’ That, all of these are written by Robert Burns, and they are but a few of the hundreds of poems and songs her wrote and collected.

Many musicians have recorded his music. To note especially are Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan,
Eddi Reader, and Jim Malcolm.

Several of my favorite songs written by Robert Burns are John Anderson My Jo, The Westin Winds, Commend Me to The Plooman, Silver Tassie, and this one, below. Tell us some of yours in the comments, if you’d like.




you may also wish to see
eddi reader, willie stewart, and the search for haggis
about the book of memories and photographs Touched by Robert Burns