Reply to an Invitation - Burns Style

Its the Bard's birthday - Robert Burns was born on this day in 1759.  Many Scots, all over the world, traditionally celebrate tonight by attending a Burns Supper.  As usual they will eat haggis, drink whisky and listen to poetry written by Burns.

Although I'm a Scot, living in Scotland, I usually avoid these because I actually don't like either haggis or whisky!  (If this ends up being my last blog post, then you'll know that these remarks have been taken as the spouting of treason and I'm incarcerated in Edinburgh Castle dungeon - if it has one!)

Anyway, I much prefer Burns' lesser known poems, especially the ones with a bit of humour.  So I thought I'd share this one with you:-

Reply to an Invitation

Sir.

Yours this moment I unseal,
And faith!  I'm gay and hearty,
To tell the truth and shame the Deil,                                           devil
I am as fou as Bartie.                                                                     drunk

But Foorsday, Sir, my promise leal,                                               Thursday; true

Expect me o' your partie,
If on a beastie I can speel                                                             climb
Or hurl in a cartie.                                                                           trundle
                  Yours, - Robert Burns

What a fabulous reply!

I've already blogged about Burns and the Greenock connection - you can read about it here.

Enjoy what's left of your Friday.

Love, Liz

Look Closer - See Me

I read this for the first time this morning and wanted to share it with you, although I'm sure many of you will know it already.

What do you see, people, what do you see?

What are you thinking, when you look at me

A crabby old woman, not very wise.

Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice "I do wish you'd try!

 Who seems not to notice the things that you do.

And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.

Who, unresisting or not; lets you do as you will.

With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.

Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still!

As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of 10 with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters, who loved one another.

A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet,

Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at 20 – my heart gives a leap,

Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At 25 now I have young of my own

Who need me to build a secure happy home.

A woman of 30, my young now grow fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone,

But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.

At 50 once more babies play around my knee,

Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,

I look at the future, I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing young of their own.

And I think of the years and the love that I've known.

I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel,

'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body is crumbled, grace and vigour depart,

There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwells,

And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joy, I remember the pain,

And I'm loving and living life over again.

I think of the years all too few – gone too fast,

And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people, open and see,

Not a crabby old woman, LOOK CLOSER, SEE ME.

I'll admit that I cried when I read it - I found it really moving.  From what I've read, this poem was found among the possessions of an old lady who died in a Scottish hospital.  I have no idea who wrote it, but tell me if you know.

Love, Liz

Book of Burns Poems

Its Burns' Night tonight and I wanted to show you this old book which was my Granny's and as you can see, was very well used.

I think that along with the Bible, many  household in Scotland would also have a copy of Burns' poems.

Here's a epitaph Burns wrote about a Mauchline (East Ayrshire) man - sounds like a bit of a character!

Lament him, Mauchline husbands a',

He aften did assist ye;

For had ye staid whole weeks awa',

Your wives they ne'er had missed ye.

Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye pass

To school in bands thegither,

O, tread ye lightly on his grass,

Perhaps he was your father.

There's a good site where you can find out more about Robert Burns, his life and poetry at - Robert Burns Country.

I've written about Burns, Highland Mary and the Greenock connection here.

I'm not going to any Burns Suppers this year (sob, sob), but if you are - then have a great time!

Love, Liz

Tonight is Burns Night

Its Burns Night tonight so I'm going all out Scottish today!



Here's another wee Burns poem - think you'll like this one, shows that Burns had a sense of humour.

The discrete hint

Lass, when your mither is frae hame,

May I but be sae bauld

As come to your bower window,

And creep in frae the cauld?

As come to your bower window,

And when it's cold and wat,

Warm me in thy fair bosom, -

Sweet lass, may I do that?

Young man gin ye should ba sae kind,

When our gudewife's frae hame

As come to my bower window,

Whare I am laid my lane,

To warm thee in my bosom, -

Tak' tent, I'll tell thee what,

The way to me lies through the kirk, -

Young man, do ye hear that?

That told him!

Wherever in the world you are, if you are off to a Burns Supper tonight - have a great time!

Love, Liz