(I sent this, a few days in advance, to the folks we invited to our Burns Supper. I am finding that literary events can be more interesting and fun for participants if they have some background info and can prepare a bit.)
The big event is right around the corner. I want to mention a few things before the clock strikes 6 this Saturday (5-5:30 arrive/appetizers, 6:00 dinner begins…if you haven’t confirmed with John or me, please let us know if you can attend).
Why a Burns Supper?
Participants celebrate the life and work of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns, similarly to how a small group of his friends celebrated it a few years after his death in 1796. We will be continuing a venerable tradition repeated every year on or near the anniversary of his birth, January 25, by groups large (300+) and small (ours). One of the things I love about Burns is how down to earth he was. His themes include love and life, pain and joy, human relationships, food, drink and more.
What do you do at Burns Supper?
The three crucial elements of the dinner are a haggis, a toast to Burns, and a poem. There’s really a fourth element that undergirds them all: fun. A Burns Supper is a time to share good food, good poems and songs, good conversation.
Food
We will, of course, serve haggis (which every year gets finished with people asking for seconds!), but also lots of other good food: scotch eggs and salmon for appetizers, cock-a-leekie soup, tatties and neeps (potatoes and turnips), a beef dinner, Scots Trifle, and naturally, scotch.
Who, exactly, was Robert Burns?
The great national poet of Scotland, R.B. created a body of work still read and studied and enjoyed the world over. Along with his poems he also collected, compiled and re-wrote over 300 Scottish folks songs, saving a rare and valuable tradition that may have been lost otherwise. For example, he wrote Auld Lang Syne. Lyrics of his poems and song include phrases that have become famous such as: The best laid plans of mice and men….
Not Homework, but…
Burns’ wrote many of his poems and songs in a Scots dialect close enough to English for 21st century Americans to understand, but with enough unique words and phrases that make some of it challenging to understand, at first. I suggest you read a few poems before the supper to get the hang of it. You can find them at this link: http://www.robertburns.org/works/. Here’s a few I suggest (you’ll hear several of these at the supper): To A Mouse, To a Louse, To a Haggis, A Man’s A Man for A’ That, Holy Willie’s Prayer, A Red, Red Rose, and Green Grow the Rashes.
Bring something to read, recite or sing.
If, as you read through Burns, you see a poem you’d like to read after supper, please do. If you have a poem or song not by Burns but that is Scottish, or that is fun and celebrates life, or that you just like, please share it at the meal.
Tam O Shanter
Most Burns Suppers around the world (including ours last year) include a reading of this fun (and long) poem about poorTam O Shanter’s spooky encounter on his way home from the pub one stormy night. I’m attaching a color coded version of this poem for you to look over in advance. Each family at the meal can select a color as we read it round-robin style.
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday,
Gary
John
