Today marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Tonight is Burns Night! In honor of the occasion, I have pulled my cherished copy of The Poetical Works of Robert Burns from the shelf upon which it lives. My copy dates to 1892. Yes, I have a 116 year old book sitting on my dusty shelves^†.

Tonight before dinner, a reading of one of my favorite Burns works will commence. Alas, haggis will not be served. We’ll be having a hearty stew instead. I’m sure Burns would approve of the substitution of a stew for haggis in the household of a daughter of the Highlands banished to the nearly haggis-free land of America.

Bannockburn
Robert Bruce’s Address to his Army

Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to Victorie!

Now’s the day, and now’s the hour;
See the front o’ battle lour;
See approach proud Edward’s power-
Chains and Slaverie!

Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward’s grave?
Wha sae base as be a Slave?
Let him turn and flee!

Wha, for Scotland’s King and Law,
Freedom’s sword will strongly draw,
Free-man stand, or Free-man fa’,
Let him on wi’ me!

By Oppression’s woes and pains!
By your Sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!

Lay the proud Usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty’s in every blow!-
Let us Do or Die!

-Robert Burns, September 1793

1. † It’s not alone. I have many very ancient books. Some older than even the Burns collection. And should there ever be an Armageddon event, they would be some of the first things I try to save. [↩]