Tag Archives: Speech

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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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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