The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #117602   Message #2535778
Posted By: Jack Blandiver
09-Jan-09 - 05:05 AM
Thread Name: Robert Burns was born 250 years ago
Subject: RE: Robert Burns was born 250 years ago
On a QI repeat last night it said Burns wouldn't have worn a kilt at all on account of it being outlawed at the time...

I'm presently singing his Winter - A Dirge written to the tune of MacPherson's Rant.

The wintry west extends his blast,
And hail and rain does blaw;
Or the stormy north sends driving forth
The blinding sleet and snaw:
While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,
And roars frae bank to brae;
And bird and beast in covert rest,
And pass the heartless day.

The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,
The joyless winter day
Let others fear, to me more dear
Than all the pride of May:
The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,
My griefs it seems to join;
The leafless trees my fancy please,
Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme
These woes of mine fulfil,
Here firm I rest; they must be best,
Because they are Thy will!
Then all I want-O do Thou grant
This one request of mine!-
Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,
Assist me to resign.