Happy Birthday Robert Burns!

"At the height of his literary celebrity, Robert Burns proudly informed a correspondent: 'I was born a very poor man's son'. Yet he became a legend in his short lifetime and an enduring international institution after his death."

Robert Burns was born on January 25th, 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was the eldest of seven children of William Burnes and Agnes Broun (Burnes' children later removed the 'e' from their name). The family was close-knit and happy, although they were often exposed to hard-times and poverty.

I was going to include a lengthy biography of Robert Burns, but you all know the story, or know where to look for it!

So a song, instead...

Robert Burns wrote this song in 1785. This song provides a vivid forecast of the author's coming fame. It was rumored, but never substantiated, that a way-faring woman, present at Burns' birth, actually announced a similar prophecy when the child was placed in her arms.

A toast to Robert with this (autobiographical?) song.

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 tae Robin

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.

The gossip keekit in his loof
Quo scho: "Wha lives will see the proof,
This waly boy will be nae coof:
I think we'll ca' him Robin.

"He'll hae misfortunes great an' 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 a rovin' boy
Rantin', rovin', rantin', rovin'
Robin was a rovin' boy
Rantin', rovin' Robin