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Scots The World Over Gather This Weekend For A Wee Dram & Some Haggis

Jan 25, 2025 | Arts & Culture

By Andrew Macdonald

Today, Jan 25, is known in Scottish circles as Robbie Burns Day, and across the world’s Scottish diaspora folks will gather in the evening to tribute to the old Bard who was born in Scotland 266 years ago, and will toast him with a wee drink of dram and eat haggis.

Since 1919, a likeness to Burns has stood at Halifax’s Victoria Park adjacent to Spring Garden Road. See the history of that statue in another article in this edition of The Macdonald Notebook.

Colin Patrick MacDonald, born and raised in Antigonish and now a retired corporate lawyer in Calgary, will celebrate Burns today out West. He authored the following history on Robbie Burns:

By Colin Patrick MacDonald

As has been my recent annual custom I have tried to identify some meaningful poetry from the Old Scottish Bard, Robert Burns, to share with you on the occasion of his birth some 266 years ago this weekend.

It has been estimated that more than 10 million folks will sit down to a Burns supper around the world in the next few days to hear his poetry recited, and his memory toasted. Amazing!

Among other positive attributes, Burns was a supporter of both the French Revolution and the American Revolution which occurred during his lifetime and, in particular, those ideas he championed for democratic reform, which got me wondering what he might think about today’s politics and in particular Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau

Burns was a master of memorable thoughts and images which seem to me to still resonate today and the almost 80-year-old Mr. Trump might be wise to keep in mind (though it seems a little late for Mr. Trudeau).

Here are three such brief extracts from some of his most famous poems:

1. From ‘To A Mouse’: “the best laid schemes o’ mice, and men gang aft agley” (translation: sh’t happens and things often go wrong)

2. From ‘To A Louse’: —-“O wad some Pow’r the giftie give us to see oursele’s as others see us” (translation: most critics say this poem and sentence is about self-awareness and the folly of vanity)

3. From ‘Tam o’ Shanter’: “Nae man can tether time or tide” (translation no matter your position in life or wealth there is no way you can halt the march of time)

Another year has passed and we are once again acknowledging and celebrating the birthday of one of the world’s greatest poets. Over the past four years, we have noted in this annual birthday message some of my favourite Bard’s poems including: A Red Red Rose; Scotch Drink; Ode to the Haggis; and To A Mouse.

This year I would like to highlight his most famous poem, Auld Lang Syne, sung by millions each New Year’s Eve with many of those folks unfortunately not knowing who first wrote the words.

Apparently, Burns used an old Scottish folk tune from the early 1600s and penned his own words in 1788. His words have stood the test of time as an ode to long-lasting friendships and an admonition that they are not to be forgotten.

Besides bringing in the new year the world over, Auld Lang Syne will also be vigorously sung at the conclusion of each of the Burns suppers being held this week from Anchorage to Athens to Adelaide to Airdrie to Antigonish, and in Burns’s hometown of Alloway in Aryshire and in more than 9,000 other locations the world over where Burns events being held.

Burn’s version has been performed and recited for more than 200 years and in the last century in particular by such widely differing characters as Guy Lombardo, Jimmy Hendrix, Elvis Presley and Bruce Springsteen. (Taylor Swift can only weep for Burns reach and longevity in comparison to her portfolio….) .

Cheers and have a dram in celebration of old friends on Jan. 25 (hey, ‘dry January’ is almost over).

 

The statue honoring Robbie Burns at Victoria Park in Halifax.

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