Happy Robert Burns´ day.

We’re coming up to January 25 which marks the annual celebration of Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns who lived from January 25, 1759 to July 21, 1796. Many of Burns’ songs and poetry were inspired by the beauty of Scotland, particularly the breathtaking scenery of Ayrshire, his birthplace and the romantic setting of Dumfries & Galloway where he lived in later life. It’s believed his love of nature stemmed from his working life on the family farm in Alloway, Ayr, where he wrote poems such as ‘To a Mouse’, ‘The Primrose’ and ‘A Winter Night’. Burns’ most famed poems are Auld Lang Syne and To a Haggis – the latter is oft recited at Burns Nights. Traditional Burns suppers centre on haggis (innards stuffed in a sheep’s stomach), neeps (turnips), tatties (potatoes) and plenty of whisky and music.

Power Point about Robert Burns´ day!!!

This is the Power Point about the Robert Burns´Day that we are been working at school.

Enjoy yourself watching it!!!!

The Story of Robert Burns

Robert burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, in 1759 to poor tenant farmers, William Burness and Agnes Broun. Robert Burns was the eldest brother to another six children. His early years were spent working with his father on the family farm, but although the family was poor, his father insisted that Robert and his younger brother Gilbert should have the best education they could afford. He employed a tutor and at the age of 15, Robert Burns wrote his first verses, 'My Handsome Nell', which were about his favourite pastimes at that time, women and drink.

In 1784, when his father died, Robert and his brother became partners in the farm but Robert was more interested in his poetry and womanising. Through the latter, he became the father of several illegitimate children. This gave him notions of escaping to the far off lands of the West Indies. As he prepared to give up the farm and head for a warmer climate, leaving his 'troubles' behind, his first collection of poems was published. This was the well known 'Poems- Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect - Kilmarnock Edition'. It received much critical acclaim and this encouraged him to remain in Scotland. He became known in Edinburgh as 'The Ploughman Poet' and within a short period of time was a country-wide celebrity.

At this point Robert Burns married the mother of two of his twin children. Her name was Jean Armour. Although he was now famous, it did not bring in much of an income and Robert had to take up employment as an exciseman to make ends meet. He still continued to produce poetry and songs, the number totalling approximately 400 before he died of heart disease at the age of 37 on the very same day that his wife gave birth to a son, Maxwell. An amazing 10,000 people paid their respects at his funeral.

Every year on the anniversary of his birth, 25th January, thousands of people throughout the world pay homage to this great man by way of a 'Burns Supper'. The ritual was started by close friends of Burns a few years after his death as a tribute to his memory. The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since that time and begins when the chairman invites the company to receive the haggis. There is also a recital of Burns' famous poem 'To A Haggis'.

'Auld Lang Syne' by Robert Burns

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song (Roud # 6294). It is well known in many English-speaking countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day.

The song's (Scots) title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago" or "days gone by". The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is also used in similar poems by Robert Ayton (15701638), Allan Ramsay (1686-1757), and James Watson (1711) as well as older folk songs predating Burns.[2] In his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language, Matthew Fitt uses the phrase "In the days of auld lang syne" as the equivalent of "Once upon a time." In Scots syne is pronounced like the English word sign.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne