Ca the yowes…for those unacquainted with the Doric….https://lyricstranslate.com/en/robert-burns-ca-yowes-lyrics.html
Robert Burns, poet of the human condition, whose life and works are celebrated tonight by Scots all over the world.
A man of his times, whose message is timeless.
A Scot, who speaks still to the world.
From the sheer fun of ‘ The De’il’s Away Wi’ The Exciseman’, written for a gathering of his fellow customes officers,
to the lyricism of ‘Flow Gently Sweet Afton’
his song of independence , ‘Scots Wa Hae’ – which, in faster time would still make a better anthem than that blasted dirge ‘Flower of Scotland’. No wonder we lose everything…..
and his song of brotherhood ‘ A Man’s a Man for A’ That’ as sung at the opening of the Scottish Parliament…and those bastards should be ashamed of themselves all these years on at their betrayal of their country…yet another parcel of rogues in a nation.
With typical Scots pawky humour that was the tune played to summon defaulters – military miscreants – to their punishment in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regiment.
He has inspired many over the centuries…..
Abraham Lincoln, who was given his poems as a young man…’From Shakespeare I learnt the sonnets, from the Bible, the scriptures, but it was from that man that I learnt humanity.’
Maya Angelou, who was given his poems as a child …..’He was the first white man I read who seemed to understand that a human being is a human being, that we are more alike than unlike”.
And when we link arms for Auld Lang Syne, whether it be with the lass from ‘Coming Through the Rye’ or Holy Willie we live out his dream, that whomsoever we might be we are capable of a belief in the goodness of each other and our collective ability to make a better world.
The Venomous Bead 
Dougie MacLean. I’ve been a huge fan of his for decades, now. Thanks for that.
Me too. Makes a change from the usual Hogmanay stramash too….
Flower of Scotland indeed! Happy Burns night. Shame there are no local haggis to catch but we’ll manage a dram or two. Here’s to you… (now finish that toast off)
Here’s tae us,
Wha’s like us
Damn few
An they’re a’ deid!
Home made haggis…but not a neep to be found!
Well done but what a shame on the neep front!
Somehow a Korean radish does not cut the mustard!
Well! That’s a fine way tae start th’ day!
Here’s tae Scots what hae.
We have the haggis…but nary a neep to be seen!
I, too, was raised on his works even here – and some of the songs. (Thanks for the video links)
“…we live out his dream, that whomsoever we might be we are capable of a belief in the goodness of each other and our collective ability to make a better world.”
Hope needed for such difficult times. No haggis – or those around who would appreciate/understand to sing along, but a raised glass and a nod in your direction. Thanks
It feels like hoping against hope with the way things are now…however did we let it happen?
Take a glass with you anyday! But especially today.
It speaks volumes that, all these years later, Burns is remembered and celebrated annually.
I think it his sheer humanity, expressed plain words
I always preferred the poetry of Robert’s wee sleekit sister, Irony Burns. :snorf:
And snorf to you!
I am tempted to send you a case of Irn Bru……that should get you off the recliner in double wquick time…
Mr. Burns became very well known as the owner of the nuclear factory on the Simpsons 😀
One of these days I must catch up on the Simpsons. It hasn’t passed me by exactly, but I haven’t delved into it.
Love the accents on the Burns piece. Reminds me of the Scottish festival that comes here. Kilts and bagpipes- and lots of great foods with booze flowing. Lot of fun.
Burns was all in favour of fun! Thus his presence on the penitence stool in the kirk….
Fun is a wonderful universal language. I’m all for it. Good on Burns!
Sorry parliament didn’t sing all the verses, crib notes allowed. That is a fine song.
Indeed it is…and perhaps that was a sign of the betrayal to come.
Sorry not to be able to comment on your blog…I tried changing to Chrome but that did not work…no doubt Blogger will sort itself out at some point, but in the meantime at least I can read about your progress.
Hope all is well with you and Leo on your special night of nights.
Cathy, thank you! Hope all is well with you and the golfer.
Thanks for that!
Having listened to the music, I naturally rallied somewhat, grabbed the Claymore and went out smiting English invaders. This ended after I had retrieved all our stolen sheep from the fields just outside of town.
However, the sheriff and his men have now overpowered me and I sit here in the ‘Blue Lamp House’ round the corner, sharing a small room with several dozen sheep. These are evidence apparently. At least it is warm.
Ca the yowes indeed!
The Sassenach has no respect for our culture, it is true!
Still it saves on heating water for the hot water bottles…..
So sorry for the delayed response (laptop issues but all’s well now). Trust me Robert Burns is celebrated all the time by non-Scots as well. 😇
Glad the laptop is sorted…..never aq good moment when they go down, is it?
A man well worth the celebration….and as Scots travelled everywhere to work, so Burns went with them.
Burns was a master, then and now.
Yes, it’s so much easier to use a laptop than cell phones which I just. can’t. do. easily. Now to catch up…🤣
Those blasted cell phones are a pain in the proverbial!
They are when you’re trying to read a blog post!! And then of course, the platform they’re on looks different from on a computer and sometimes you have to enter passwords and you just go round and round trying to make a simple comment. Bloody aggravating!
Spawn of the devil, aren’t they!
Totally vexing.
They are sent to try us…and succeed!
If only I could be as good as technology. 🤪
I think the trouble is that technology is in the hands of those who only technology know.
They sure fail to factor in us users, don’t they?
All too true! In France, there used to be a sign on some shops stating that the customer was king….given their appalling customer service it made you remember that the French guillotined theirs…and it looks as if the tech world has taken on the French attitude.
Obnoxious entitlement is universal apparently.
And they expect us to pay for it…
Right!
I think a modern Burns might have something to say here…
Can’t wait!
I was familiar with Ca’ The Yowes from the Dougie MacLean version. His voice is comparatively ordinary yet his songs always give me goose-bumps. I hadn’t realised it was Burns.
A lot of people like Dougie MacLean…me too.
Oddly enough this was one of the pieces in the book issued at school for recorder players…I can assure you it did not sound anything like Dougie MacLean.
Oh, school recorders. I never got further than Little bird/I have heard/what a pretty song you sing/flying high/in the sky/on your tiny wing… I played it all around the house, really badly. Must have driven my mother mad.
There was a choice…learn violin or recorder. Father announced that he was not in favour of killing cats, so the recorder it was. I was hopeless…and knew it.