Guestling Bradshaw CE Primary School

Scots around the world celebrate January 25th with a Burns Night Supper. This has been going on since Burns' death over 200 years ago and, along with our singing of Auld Lang Syne each New Year's Eve, shows the tremendous impact Burns had on his country and culture.

Robert Burns was born on January 25th 1759. He grew up poor, his father a struggling Ayrshire farmer who did his best to educate his bright and lively son even though not many years could be spent at school. Burns was an avid reader and learnt not only the ins and outs of his own language, but English as well (and even a little French).

He achieved fame through his efforts to popularise the Scottish way of speaking through his wonderful poetry and songs. He rescued hundreds of traditional Scottish folk songs that might otherwise have been lost for ever: he would remember an old tune from his childhood, take the theme of the song and re-write it with his own lyrics. He never accepted a penny for the songs, which he considered a gift to the people of Scotland.

His poetry revolved around country life, writing with affection, respect and humour about the country folk he knew. He wrote beautiful love poems: he was a handsome, charming man who was very fond of the ladies! But more than that, he had a genuine love for people, and regard for those who were down on their luck.

However Burns was not so talented in every direction – he failed at farming and at every other occupation he tried. In desperation he published a book of his poems in 1786 and at last achieved success. Unfortunately his lack of business sense meant the proceeds were used up within 18 months. He died at the age of just 37.

Below is one of Rabbie Burns’ most famous love poems, written in 1794. The words have since been set to music.

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve!
And fare-thee-weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

The Burns Night supper is an institution of Scottish life: a night to celebrate the life and works of the national bard.

A typical Burns Night supper begins with a prayer, the Selkirk Grace. The meal might begin with cook-a-leekie soup. This is followed by haggis, served with neeps and tatties, with Clootie Dumpling or Typsy Laird for dessert. There is a good deal of pomp and ceremony involved, for example everyone must stand while the haggis is piped into the room. There are traditional toasts and speeches throughout the evening and a good deal of whisky is normally consumed! 

The meal is followed by traditional Scottish entertainment such as dancing, singing and of course the recitation of poetry. A speaker is invited to talk about Robert Burns’ the life. After a vote of thanks, the evening normally finishes with a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne.