Burns
could hardly have imagined that his birthday would indeed be celebrated
far beyond his homeland of Scotland. Robert Burns night is
commemorated all over the world from Tanzania, Delhi, St Petersburg,
United States, Canada, Brazil, China and beyond. They come together, all
over the world, to share food, speeches, poetry and song, in honour of
the man now widely known as the National Bard of Scotland. He was voted
in 2016 as the greatest Scot to have ever lived. Votes for him came from
all over the world, showing that not only is he still 'weel kent' (well
known) at home, but that he remains one of Scotland's best global
ambassadors. This once obscure ploughman poet who died prematurely at
the age of 37, penned 716 known works during his short life, 346 of
which have been identified as songs.
At
the age of 15 Robert composed his first song: 'Handsome Nell' for
Nellie Kilpatrick, a young girl whom he formed a close bond with while
working the harvest. The song's message of unspoken love would feature
prominently throughout Burns' career as he went on to write some of the
most poignant poems and songs of the heart, all of which immortalized
the many recipients of his affections. He was to blame love and
affection for turning him into a poet. But Burns also wrote about
nature, hardship, patriotism, and the brotherhood of man - a subject
near and dear to his heart.
*Then let us pray, that come it
may, As come it will for a' that, That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the
earth, Shall bear the gree (agree), an a' that. For a' that, an' a'
that, It's coming yet for a' that, Than Man to Man, the world o'er,
Shall Brithers (brothers) be for a' that.
Burns could be
hard-hitting; but he was also humourous and a master satirist, and,
above all else, he held integrity and honesty in the highest regard...An
Honest Man, tho e'er sae (though ever so) poor, Is King of Men for a'
that. Robert Burns has become so popular that his poetry and songs have
been translated into numerous languages and recited worldwide with Auld
Lang Syne (Old Long Since; meaning days gone by) probably one of his
most popular (rewritten) songs, mostly sung at the stroke of midnight at
New Year.
Who among us has never sung those immortal words of Burns?
As
the close of 2020 finally draws near and a New Year is now just days
away, The Robert Burns Club of St Andrew Society of Sarasota wish all
our Society members, Friends and Family, a happy, safe, and healthy
2021!
Phyl Smith
Secretary, The Robert Burns Club
St Andrew Society of Sarasota
775 830 9543
*Taken
from Robert Burns' song written in 1795: "Is There For Honest Poverty",
or, more commonly known as: "A Man's A Man For A' That" .
