Tag Archives: Burns Supper

Burns Bash: Boffo!

Posted on January 24, 2011 by literarylee

How can it be that twelve people can so enjoy a meal celebrating the life and work of a Scottish poet who died 214 years ago?  So unexpected, but once again, we did.  Conversation was lively.  The food was delicious.    We … Continue reading →

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Turnips, Leeks, Lady Fingers (So Obvious!)

Posted on January 22, 2011 by literarylee

I can’t believe nobody said anything.  No one at the grocery who saw me buying three pounds of turnips and a couple pounds of leeks (there were a few other shoppers, plus a store employee nearby) said a word.  O.K., … Continue reading →

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Bill o’ Fare

Posted on January 21, 2011 by literarylee

On the one hand, you don’t need a menu/program at a Burns Supper with just a few friends in your home. On the other hand, why not?  Attendees will have a tangible memento of the evening (to jar the many … Continue reading →

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Immortal Memory 5: Conclusion

Posted on January 21, 2011 by literarylee

Let’s briefly visit two more poems. One is the last two verses of To a Louse.  In the poem, Burns is sitting in church behind a well-dressed young lady when all of a sudden he sees a single louse clambering … Continue reading →

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Immortal Memory 4: The Holy Fair

Posted on January 21, 2011 by literarylee

Only a few times a year, a parish in Scotland would hold a several day communion service.  Burns immortalizes such an event in The Holy Fair.  It’s too long to read the whole thing, but I’ll share a few verses … Continue reading →

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Address to a Haggis

Posted on January 20, 2011 by literarylee

Robert Burns (This poem is recited to the haggis after it has been brought to the head table of the Burns Supper in a noble procession including a piper, someone carrying the “groaning trencher” laden with the haggis, and others carrying bottles … Continue reading →

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Immortal Memory 3: Holy Willie’s Prayer

Posted on January 20, 2011 by literarylee

Burns wrote Holy Willie’s Prayer after a friend, Gavin Hamilton, won a contentious lawsuit the local parish of Ayr filed against him.  His friend, a lawyer, was at one point responsible for collecting a poor tax in the parish.  He … Continue reading →

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Immortal Memory 2: A Brief Burns Bio

Posted on January 20, 2011 by literarylee

Robert Burns was born 200 years and almost 6  months before me on January 25, 1759 to a gardener and his wife in Ayr, in the southwestern part of Scotland.  When Burns turned six his father, William, hired a tutor … Continue reading →

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Immortal Memory 1: Introduction

Posted on January 20, 2011 by literarylee

(One of the central elements of a Burns Supper is the Immortal Memory toast to Burns.  Leading up to that someone gives a speech on Burns, his life and work.  Here’s the intro to what I’ll be saying on Saturday … Continue reading →

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Fellow Burns Supperians:

Posted on January 18, 2011 by literarylee

(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 … Continue reading →

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