Robert Burns Night

Monday is Robert Burns’ birthday–the national poet and bard of Scotland.  Traditionally, a Burns Night celebration involves reciting Burns poetry, piping in the haggis and toasting with single malt whisky.  Some of the Old SNOTS will celebrate by gathering at a St. Louis Scottish restaurant, the Scottish Arms, for a fine meal and a toast with a single malt.  Who knows . . . there may even be a wee bit o’ Burns recited.

But, since you all can’t be there, here’s a Burns song to mark the occasion:

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I’ll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee.

Who shall say the Fortune grieves him,
While the star of hope she leaves him:
Me, nae chearful twinkle lights me;
Dark despair around benights me.

I’ll ne’er blame my partial fancy,
Naething could resist my Nancy:
But to see her, was to love her;
Love but her, and love for ever.

Had we never lov’d sae kindly,
Had we never lov’d sae blindly!
Never met–or never parted,
We had ne’er been broken-hearted.

Slainte . . . and happy birthday Rabbie.