See Dates in History in our Features Section
 

I like to have quotations ready for every occasions - they give one's ideas so pat and save one the trouble of finding expression adequate to one's feeling.

Robert Burns

Statements in prose and verse which reflect all aspects of Scottish life and outlook from the 1^st century to the present day.  New quotes added every week.  The quotations are not restricted to native Scots but include observations from abroad which help us, in the words of our National Bard, Robert Burns, "To see oursels as others see us"    

Robert Burns (1759-1796)

I never had the least thought or inclination of turning Poet till I got once heartily in love, and the rhyme and song were, in a manner, the spontaneous language of my heart. The following composition [Handsome Nell, 1774] was the first of my performances. It is, indeed, very puerile and silly; but I am always pleased with it, as it recalls to my mind those happy days when my heart was yet honest, and my tongue was sincere.

(First Commonplace Book, August 1783)

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

The character of Burns is a theme that cannot easily become either trite or exhausted.

(1854)

Sir Alexander Gray (1882-1968)

As a Poet [Robert Burns] he is, by universal consent, if not among the greatest of all time, at least not much below the highest; and his peculiar “message”, if I may use a word I detest as applied to poets, may make him the especial poet of a country where the democratic instincts have always been so strong as in Scotland. For the “message” of Burns is ultimately centred in the brotherhood of man, the glorious privilege of being independent, and the virtue of suspending judgement on our erring fellows. But he is more than a poet whose “message” has made him acceptable. He is a national hero; and that is why we are right in thinking of him along with Wallace and Bruce. For if these hammered us into a nation, he revived us when we were in danger of fainting.

(The Immortal Memory, Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh 22 January 1944)

Hugh MacDiarmid (born Christopher Murray Grieve) (1892-1978)

Thought may demit
Its functions fit
While still to thee, O Burns,
The punctual stomach of thy people turns.

Most folks agree
That poetry
Is of no earthly use
Save thine – which yields at least this Annual Excuse!

(Your Immortal Memory, Burns! 1926)

Lesley Riddoch

…Burns preferred brain to brawn and bequeathed his nation the gift of words. Thanks to Burns, a nation of silent Scotsman can speak. Like a national Cyrano de Bergerac, the bard translated hopes and feelings into the most powerful forms of expression. Those words and songs still shape Scotland’s identity.

(The Scotsman 21 January 2008)

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

[of Robert Burns] The eye alone, I think, indicated the poetic character and temperament. It was large and of a dark cast, which glowed (I say literally glowed) when he spoke with feeling and interest. I never saw such another eye in a human head, though I have seen the most distinguished men in my time.

(Recollecting his only meeting, as an Edinburgh schoolboy, with Robert Burns)

See Scottish Quotations in our Features Section 

SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS

A collection of some of the best known songs by Scotland's greatest songwriter and National Bard, Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)

RANTIN’ ROVIN’ ROBIN

There was a lad was born in Kyle,

But whatna day o' whatna style,

I doubt it's hardly worth the while'

To be sae nice wi' Robin

 

Chorus

Robin was a rovin' boy -

Rantin' rovin', rantin' rovin' -

Robin was a rovin' boy -

Rantin' rovin' Robin !

 

Our monarch's hindmost year but ane

Was five-and-twenty days begun,

'Twas then a blast o' Janwar win'

Blew hansel in on Robin.

Robin was, & c.

 

The gossip keekit in his loof,

Quo' she, 'Wha lives will see the proof,

This waly boy will be nae coof,

I think we'll ca' him Robin.

Robin was, & c.

 

'He'll hae misfortunes great and sma',

But ay a heart aboon them a' ;

He'll be a credit till us a',

We'll a' be proud o' Robin.

Robin was, & c.

 

'But sure as three times three mak' nine,

I see by ilka score and line,

This chap will dearly like our kin',

So leeze me on thee, Robin.

Robin was, & c.

 

'Guid faith,' quo' she, 'I doubt you gar

The bonie lasses lie aspar ;

But twenty fauts ye may hae waur,

So blessin's on thee, Robin !

Robin was, & c.

See the SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS in our features section
 

SING A SANG AT LEAST
(compiled by Peter D Wright)

"That I for poor auld Scotland's sake
Some useful plan or book could make
Or sing a sang at least ........"

- Robert Burns

THE STAR O’ RABBIE BURNS
James Thomson

There is a star whose beaming ray
Is shed on ev’ry clime,
It shines by night, it shines by day
And ne’er grows dim wi’ time.
It rose upon the banks of Ayr,
It shone on Doon’s clear stream –
A hundred years are gane and mair,
Yet brighter grows its beam.

Chorus:
Let kings and courtiers rise and fa’,
This world has mony turns
But brightly beams aboon them a’
The star o’ Rabbie Burns.

Though he was but a ploughman lad
And wore the hodden grey,
Auld Scotland’s sweetest bard was bred
Aneath a roof o’ strae.
To sweep the strings o’ Scotia’s lyre,
It needs nae classic lore;
It’s mither wit an native fire
That warms the bosom’s core.

On fame’s emblazon’d page enshrin’d
His name is foremost now,
And many a costly wreath’s been twin’d
To grace his honest brow.
And Scotland’s heart expands wi’ joy
Whene’er the day returns
That gave the world its peasant boy
Immortal Rabbie Burns.

Footnote: A song which you might still hear sung at a Burns Supper and which I first heard, complete with actions, by a choir of West Lothian Nationalist in Wales! Plaid Cymru Conference delegates were enthralled.

See the SING A SANG AT LEAST in our features section

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS