Burns night

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

As a Burns purist, it makes me sad to see a Burns Supper become a de facto Scottish Night that only pays lip service to the man and his work -- which by the way, his collection of songs and his work as a proto-ethnomusicologist is just as significant as his own works.

While Burns may be difficult to understand at first, with a little bit of study, it becomes very clear that the sentiment behind the words is still relevant today.

T.

Not to mention how much of Burns' work is still part of our common vernacular today.

Dan

[GMan]

First off I went for the social aspect. Yet as time goes on I began to understand the richness of it all.

[skruse]

We have few remaining rights of passage. Burns Night provides a common culture for us to come together and celebrate Burns and what is good about us. Dancing, food, song, dress bring everyone together. It is not political, but cultural.

[Semiomniscient]

People obsess far too much about the bawdy works of Burns, INMHO. Burns was most deserving of that title, at least in my viewpoint, because of the very fact that he is celebrated the world over some 250 years after his death, and for the fact that Burns was so important in collecting the folk songs and music of Scotland at a time when it was quite unfashionable to be "Scottish".

In that regard, he is very similar to fellow folklorists such as Alan Lomax, Vance Randolph and Hamish Henderson, and deserving of the honour. Even his collection of the bawdy stuff, The Merry Muses of Caledonia, is important in that regard -- and besides, it's just darn fun to read at a gents-only Burns Supper.

Of course, being a Pisskie, I do not have the Calvinist hang-ups that James has. Just kidding, James! :mrgreen:

T.

Yes, well... even as a Calvinist, I don't think John Knox was that friendly of a guy either. I think Robert Burns did an absolutely great thing for Scotland in terms of literature and especially culture. I think Napoleon was one of the most excellent tyrants of history. But I don't think I would have gotten along with him. Robert Burns would at least have been a friendly guy to have a beer with. But I don't see him as a sort of role model upon which I would idealize a "hero". But alas, so what?

[macwilkin]

Yes, well... even as a Calvinist, I don't think John Knox was that friendly of a guy either. I think Robert Burns did an absolutely great thing for Scotland in terms of literature and especially culture. I think Napoleon was one of the most excellent tyrants of history. But I don't think I would have gotten along with him. Robert Burns would at least have been a friendly guy to have a beer with. But I don't see him as a sort of role model upon which I would idealize a "hero". But alas, so what?

If you idolize Burns, then you're missing the whole point -- Burns was an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent. He was by no means perfect, as none of us are, and yet that's what makes him the "greatest Scot" (which isn't necessarily synonymous with "hero", btw) to me -- Instead of a general, a monarch or what-have-you, Scotland chose a farmer who was able to capture universal human emotions into song and story. I think that says a lot for Scotland.

T.

[Semiomniscient]

If you idolize Burns, then you're missing the whole point -- Burns was an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent. He was by no means perfect, as none of us are, and yet that's what makes him the "greatest Scot" (which isn't necessarily synonymous with "hero", btw) to me -- Instead of a general, a monarch or what-have-you, Scotland chose a farmer who was able to capture universal human emotions into song and story. I think that says a lot for Scotland.

T.

Sure it does. I don't really know why one should dub someone the "greatest" anything. It doesn't do much good... but sure, I see your point.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

If you idolize Burns, then you're missing the whole point -- Burns was an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent. He was by no means perfect, as none of us are, and yet that's what makes him the "greatest Scot" (which isn't necessarily synonymous with "hero", btw) to me -- Instead of a general, a monarch or what-have-you, Scotland chose a farmer who was able to capture universal human emotions into song and story. I think that says a lot for Scotland.

T.

What he said

[Raphael]

As for the language issue...

Raphael, somethings are worth the effort!

I am just not a very cultural person. I rather watch sports, action movies, video games, and play sports. When I read, I only read horror, action and true crime. Poetry isn't my cup of tea.

[Raphael]

If you idolize Burns, then you're missing the whole point -- Burns was an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent. He was by no means perfect, as none of us are, and yet that's what makes him the "greatest Scot" (which isn't necessarily synonymous with "hero", btw) to me -- Instead of a general, a monarch or what-have-you, Scotland chose a farmer who was able to capture universal human emotions into song and story. I think that says a lot for Scotland.

T.

OMG! I agree with you 100%.

[macwilkin]

Sure it does. I don't really know why one should dub someone the "greatest" anything. It doesn't do much good... but sure, I see your point.

I can agree with that..."the greatest" title and a $1.95 will buy you a cup of coffee. Burns didn't need the title -- the very fact that his words are still with us today, and are sung and recited at Burns Nights the world o'er already made him the greatest Scot.

T.