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The 25th of January marks the birthday of Robert
Burns, 1759-1796. The night on which
many celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s greatest poet,. This
celebration is called a `Burns Supper` and can vary in grandeur from a modest
family evening to a truly grand affair for civil dignities and opulent
corporate clients with full and fitting ceremonial formalities, dress and lavish luxury i.e. Whisky !
Most of course are somewhere
in-between, thus here I show an example, of the type you may find in a medium
sized hotel or club.
The itinerary or order of
ceremony would be as follows
Gather
The host may introduce and welcome people, as they
gather and mingle, drink Whisky and chat normally to each other.
The party are called to the table; the Host
says the opening grace, by tradition The Selkirk Grace. And the soup
course is served.
Some have meat and canna
eat,
And some would eat that want
it;
But we have meat, and we can
eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit
Parade of
the Haggis
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Image found on Google
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This is the height of the evening (and my
favourite bit). The Chef enters the dining room carrying the haggis, followed
by the Piper, usually playing Brose and Butter. The Chef presents the Haggis to
the Chairman (or Host) at the top table.
Address
to a Haggis
A Senior Reciter reads the poem, Address to
a Haggis
over the haggis.
Fair fa` your honest sonsie
face,
Great chieftain o` the
pudding-race!
Aboon them a` yet tak your
place,
Painch tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o`a grace,
As long`s my arm.
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Image found on Google
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A good Whisky is offered to the Piper, Chef and
Reciter and then ceremoniously the Haggis is cut open, traditionally with a
Scottish `Dirk` although any sharp knife will do. The
Haggis is served with nips and tatties (Mashed
swede and mashed potatoes) much Whisky and Ale is drunk.
Interval
After the meal a brief interval allows the
table to be cleared or people may move into another room.
Where no doubt more Whisky and Ale will be
drunk.
Song,
Toasts, Readings, Music & Dance
Should still consist of
The
Immortal Memory
A long speech given by the Host ending in a
toast to “The immortal memory of the Bard of Ayr” ~ (Robert Burns)
Toast to
the Lassies (Young Ladies)
Reply
from the Lassies
Tam o`
Shanter
It would not be a burns night without a
recitation of the great narrative poem.
First verse only below
When
chapman billies leave the street,
And drouthy neibors, neibors, meet;
As market days are wearing late,
And folk begin to tak the gate,
While we sit bousing at the nappy,
An' getting fou and unco happy,
We think na on the lang Scots miles,
The mosses, waters, slaps and stiles,
That lie between us and our hame,
Where sits our sulky, sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
And drouthy neibors, neibors, meet;
As market days are wearing late,
And folk begin to tak the gate,
While we sit bousing at the nappy,
An' getting fou and unco happy,
We think na on the lang Scots miles,
The mosses, waters, slaps and stiles,
That lie between us and our hame,
Where sits our sulky, sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
Finally
Closing
Remarks from The Chairman
Who should thank the guests etc. And in return
one of whom will return the thanks and offer a toast to the Host, Chairman,
Chef and Piper.
Auld Lang
Syne
The traditional end to any Burns Night
Should auld acquaintance be
forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be
forgot,
And auld lang syne!
Needless to say bar for the copyright law ALL POEMS ARE BY ROBERT
BURNS
For more info go to http://www.robertburns.org/
Tomorrow I hope to post pictures, words and recipes of my
Burns Supper
Our butcher makes Haggis but I've never had the guts to try it. The Whisky and Ale part sounds good, though! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI like haggis every now and again, but I also prefer the Whisky part.
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