A man’s a man for a that, and that

A day to put the fear of god In to young politely spoken Ayrshire weans, of whom I was one.

Burns Poetry day….

You sat dreading the announcement…. When you returned from Christmas holidays; this years poem will be

Ranting Roving Robin
Tae A Mouse
Red Red Rose
the Sair Finger..

The sair finger?

i hear you query. And query it you may.

This was not written by Burns and when I questioned this I was informed that Burns Day was no longer restricted to the recitation of Burns poetry but any celebration of the Scots tongue.

Pft

Burns Day is Burns day and no matter how difficult it is for me and mine and our beautifully rounded posh Accents to get our tongue around Broad Scots pronunciations; it should be Burns or not at all.

Much as I tried, my recitations sounded as though I may have stroked just prior to the competition.

There were kids in my class who could recite perfectly and sounded not only as though this was their mother tongue but also that they comprehended what they were saying and in turn made it sound easier for me to understand.

There are parts of Burns’ work I adore.

I love the tale of Tam Oshanter and his race across the Brig before the witches in their short skirts catch him - it helps to, standing in the Auld Kirk imagining Tam peering in the windows and then his perilous journey across the road

One part I can recite perfectly and it’s imagery allows me understand exactly what a brilliant wordsmith he was



But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white—then melts for ever;



Of course your English teacher will tell you that it’s not about a drunk man having the time of his life and witnessing the devil having a party … it’s about the moments in your life which you should grab.

It’s about love, and laughter and making the most of every moment. And when he says a moment white, then gone forever; he. Is really referring to the finality of death

But really it’s the true story of a drunk man nearly getting killed by Witches


I come from the county of honest men and bonnie lassies!