As part of Robert Burns Day, the life and poetry of famous Scottish poet Robert Burns was celebrated Jan. 25 at Burns Suppers around the world.
The gatherings praise Burns, recital of his poetry and the traditional Scottish dish haggis, which is a savory pudding made with sheep heart, liver and lung mixed with onion, oatmeal, and spices all stuffed into an animal’s stomach. Unfortunately, haggis has been illegal in the U.S. since 1971 due to the Food and Drug Administration ban of the sheep lung that constitutes 10-15 percent of the dish.
Don’t file your immigration forms to the U.K. just yet, however! You can still join with Burns in spirit by drinking scotch.
Most would only be familiar with Burns from “Auld Lang Syne,” which has become a traditional New Year’s Eve song. Little did I know that the 18th century Scottish poet is regarded as a pioneer of Romanticism. Burns once declared his love would last “till a’the seas gang dry,” but also wrote less charming—but still passionate—poetry.
Ever the romantic, look no further than “The Reels o Bogie,” an entertaining account of 18th century pick-up technique.
In “The Reels o Bogie,” Burns advises men to “tip [the] coggie” of a woman they are interested in, i.e. to buy her a drink. After the “coggie” business is settled, Burns is convinced that all the “lasses” will “spreid wide their snaw-white thies an rowe aboot their wanton een, An when they see your pintle rise they’ll dance the reels o Bogie” and chatting to their “lass.”
Lovely, isn’t it? It seems that Burns thought himself the “Hitch” of his century. I would not be surprised to find out that Bill Cosby is a huge Burns fan.
In case any of you developed an interest in Burns from reading excerpts from his poems, a Robert Burns Supper will be held Jan. 30 by the Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games.
If you are still not convinced that this event is worth your money and time, just listen to a rendition of Burns by the star of “Outlander,” Sam Heughan.
If only a Burns Supper involved listening to Heughan read about pintles, bangers and hangers, more people would celebrate Burns. Wouldn’t you?
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