Robert Burns (1759–1796)

The Morgan Library & Museum ^ | December 2011 through 5 February 2012 | Christine Nelson, Drue Heinz Curator of Literary and Historical Manuscripts.

[kawhill]

It was Robert Burns (1759–1796), the great eighteenth-century Scottish poet, who transformed the old song (and many other Scottish standards) for publication. He devoted the last ten years of his short life to collecting old verses, revising and "mending" as he saw fit, even composing poetry to accompany popular airs. When Burns turned his attention to "Auld Lang Syne," he claimed merely to have transcribed the words from "an old man's singing." But from the time his version of the song was first printed (in 1796, just after his death), it has been understood that Burns lent more than a trace of his distinctive artistry to the now-famous verses.

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TOPICS: History; Poetry
KEYWORDS: burns; by; europe; gone; literature; poet; poetry; robertburns; time

[kawhill]

I saw mentions of the song, but not the person. Could have missed something...it's New Year Eve.

[Jamestown1630]

Burns Night is coming up soon:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3g2jr027l8o

[xp38]

[Disambiguator]

Lest we forget a lesser known Scottish poet.

[Albion Wilde]

One of the best renditions ever:

Auld Lang Syne Live at Stirling Castle by Rod Stewart

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Time for some cullen skink.

[Jamestown1630]

I can’t find haddock anywhere now, much less smoked haddock.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

I can find frozen haddock, but finding smoked haddock has been a dead end.

[frank ballenger]

Sounds obscene but it turns out to be a type of soup.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

It does at that. If cullen skink isn't available, there is always finnan haddie.

[Albion Wilde]

Sounds obscene but it turns out to be a type of soup.

Those wacky British Isles with their Cock-a-Leekie (Scottish soup) )and Spotted dick (English pudding)!

[Jamestown1630]

With rumbledethumps.

[Albion Wilde]

A new doctor is being shown around a Scottish hospital.

As they enter one ward, the nearest patient turns to him and says “Fair fa’ your honest sonsie face, great chieftain o’ the pudden race!”

Before the doctor can react, the patient in the next bed adds “Wee sleekit cowerin’ timorous beastie! O what a panic’s in thy breastie!”

And not to be outdone, the third patient responds “Some ha’ meat and cannae eat, and some wad eat that want it!”

The doctor murmurs to the orderly “So this is the mental health ward?”

“Och no!” replies the orderly.

“...it’s the Serious Burns Unit!”

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Excellent. You win the day! 👍

[Organic Panic]

Cock o leekee followed up with warm spotted dick and butter for dessert.

[dynachrome]

I had a haddock. A couple of aspirin cured it.

[Jamestown1630]

:-)

I wish I could have a haddock; my grandmother used to bake them with bacon strips on top of each filet, and it was wonderful.

We also grew up having smoked herring for breakfast; at least I can still find that.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Neeps and tatties for me.

[nicollo]

I can’t find haddock anywhere now, much less smoked haddock.

Maybe this guy can help find some:

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks. I hadn’t made the Captain’s acquaintance before.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Haddock