On the 25th January 1759 in the village of Alloway, William Burns and Agnes Brown welcomed their newly born son Robert (Rabbie) Burns into the world. They had no way of knowing that this baby boy would end up as one of the worlds most famous poets.
Robert had a passion for nature and women and the first song he wrote was for Nellie Kilpatrick it was called Handsome Nell. This was the beginning of a life long writing career for the young poet, but he still had a long way to go before fame would find him.
Throughout his life Robert fell in and out of love and soon gained a reputation for his love of women. Nowadays, he would be called a womaniser or some other such title. But in those days he was a scoundrel, a young man having fun and by all accounts women adored him.
Robert wrote many love poems but they weren’t all he wrote about. His love of nature gave him inspiration to write about almost anything he bore witness to and his famous To a mouse is a prime example of that.
Scotland was his home and Robert wrote some memorable songs which show off his patriotism. Scots Wha Hae is perhaps one of the most famous patriotic songs that he has written. Today the song still has the ability to arouse patriotism in many a Scot.
Burns wrote about loves, people, places nature and his country and centuries after his death his works are still loved around the world. Celebrations are held all over the world to mark the anniversary of his birth and to immortalise his work.
Many a burns night is held with men only at the celebrations, which is quite ridiculous, because Robert Burns would have enjoyed the company of women during such celebrations, I am sure of that. However, the celebrations are done in grand style with a meal, (traditionally with haggis and turnip), singing and readings of the bard’s work. The haggis is brought into the proceedings accompanied by the sound of bagpipes and the bard’s Ode to a haggis is recited.
Many centuries have passed since Robert Burns walked the earth and wrote his songs and poetry and yet here in the 21st century people are still enthralled and inspired by his works. Amazing!
You can read the works of Robert Burns Here .
Scots Wha Hae
Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled
Scots, wham Bruce has aftimes led
Welcome tae your gory bed
Or to victorie
Now’s the day and now’s the hour
See the front o’ battle lour
See approach proud Edward’s power
Chains and slaverie
Wha wad be a traitor-knave?
Wha wad fill a coward’s grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee
Wha for Scotland’s king and law
Freedom’s sword will strongly draw
Free-man stand, or free-man fa’
Let him follow me
By oppression’s woes and pains
By our sons in servile chains
We will drain our dearest veins
But we shall be free
Lay the proud usurpers low
Tyrants fall in every foe
Liberty’s in every blow
Let us do or dee
Robert Burns
Happy Birthday Rabbie Burns.
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