Rabbie Burns and Some Auld Lang Syne

Erica Douglas at Littlemummy.com is guest posting all the way from Scotland and if you've not yet met her you're in for a treat. Littlemummy is a great source of parenting and teaching ideas and recently Erica's run a series of posts on how to incorporate ads into your blog that are invaluable. Today she's bringing us visions of Scottish life . . .

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Michelle and I have something in common--we both live in the north of our respective countries--Michelle in Alaska, I in Edinburgh. I've lived in Scotland for the best part of my life so it seems fitting to share a little culture from the country I'm proud to call home.

The famous Scottish poet Robert Burns is a source of great national pride, here we call him Rabbie Burns and every winter we celebrate his life on January 25th--which is believed to be his birthday. I'm not sure if the Scots just made that up when they realized that Hogmanay was over and needed an excuse for a party.

Rabbie's most famous work is a song that most of us have tried to sing on New Year's Eve: "Auld Lang Syne" which is known for being sung incorrectly or slurred as the alcohol from the New Year's Eve party kicks in. Here are the actual words:

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 o' 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.
For auld, &c.

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

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.
For auld, &c.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, & chorus.

"Auld Lang Syne" loosely translates as "old long-ago" and to me it's a song about reflecting on the past, reconnecting with old friends and drinking to what's gone while looking forward to the future, which fits nicely with a new year. My own memory of "Auld Lang Syne" is forming a large circle with friends and family, crossing arms then going in and out with something akin to the hokey cokey (and as a seven year-old practically getting crushed to death). Lots of fun!

The highlight of each January 25th is the traditional Burns supper and the reciting of his works. Individual suppers vary and will depend on the ages and styles of the guests, at school it may be all about the poetry and the ceremonial entrance of the haggis but an adult supper may involve bagpipe music, stories and Scotch whiskey. This year have your own Burns Supper--it's fun, it's different, and think of the culture! Imagine your child going to school and impressing his teacher with tales of his Burns Supper--that'll make up for many a forgotten sports kit!

Holding Your Own Burns Supper

The traditional meal consists of haggis, neeps and tatties. Haggis is a mixed organ meat and suet concoction stuffed and boiled in a sheep's stomach which I loathe, but don't let that put you off--it's a little like marmite, you either love it or hate it. Neeps is the Scottish word for turnips which are simply mashed and seasoned--tatties (aka potatoes) should also be served mashed. If you'd like a more in-depth recipe try this. The haggis is usually carried in on a platter to the sound of the bagpipes but not before the Selkirk Grace is said, which is the job of the youngest family member. After the meal each family member takes a turn reciting a poem by Robert Burns, a very popular choice for children is "To A Mouse."

If you have children you could go all out and have a day of Scottish themed crafts and baking. Scottish shortbread anyone? Or how about making some paper woven placemats (remember those?) For a tartan effect try strips of green and grey or red, black and yellow. But the most important thing is to have fun, and don't forget to round it all off with a couple of verses of Auld Lang Syne!

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