Counting Down to Our Burns Night Supper, Part One: The Poetry

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A poetry-filled party might not sound like a lot of fun to some people, but it is the heart of any good Burns Night Supper. Without love for the famous Scottish poet, there would be no laughter and whisky-fueled merriment. It would be just another run-of-the-mill party with bland finger food and men in pants. Who wants that, when this lovely alternative is at hand? Any takers? Nah. That’s exactly what I thought. The Chef, in addition to being highly skilled at his craft, is a charming, idiosyncratic speaker. He can rock the shit out of any poet’s words, from Emily Dickinson to Allen Ginsberg. (Don’t even get me started on his ability to declaim Shakespearean monologues from memory.) In other words, even though I am a stage trained thespian and real-life professional writer, I leave the Burns Night performance-poetry up to him. If you’re wondering at this point exactly what my contribution to the evening is, other than being stunning eye candy, I won’t blame you. The Chef, he cooks. He recites poetry. What, then, does Maedez do? For starters, I help select the Robbie Burns passages that will be incorporated into the festivities. If you’re keeping score, that’s one check on my side of the ledger.

Choosing the poems is a lot of fun, and fairly easy. We don’t adhere to the order of a traditional Burns Supper, because we are rebels. Rebels, I tells ya. However, this year we will be sticking to The Selkirk Grace as the meal’s starting point, mostly because it sounds great in my husband’s booming voice. Shouting it is also an effective way to get the attention of any prematurely tipsy guests. Here it is:

The Selkirk Grace*

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it;

But we hae meat, and we can eat,

And sae let the Lord be thankit.

*You might find it helpful to read it with Sean Connery’s voice in your head. Or Scrooge McDuck’s. Whatever works for you.

From there, the poem selection and order descends into anarchy. As long as the following four conditions are met, anything goes:

  1. The poems have to sound good when recited. Duh.
  2. They have to be interesting enough to get the attention of people who are drinking, talking, laughing, and drinking.
  3. They cannot be too damn long. Excerpts are okay, but have to stand alone.
  4. I have to like them.

That narrows it down…a little. I have some work to do, so I’m leaving you with this tasty bit:

LET other Poets raise a fracas

‘Bout vines, an’ wines, an’ drunken Bacchus,

An’ crabbit names an’ stories wrack us,

An’ grate our lug,

I sing the juice Scotch bear can mak us,

In glass or jug.-Robert Burns, Scotch Drink

My husband's copy of Robert Burns Selected Poems

My husband’s copy of Robert Burns Selected Poems

22 thoughts on “Counting Down to Our Burns Night Supper, Part One: The Poetry”

  1. I am Scottish – and by “I am Scottish”, I mean I am a bone fide, born and bred Scot. I emigrated to Canada when I was 24. Great post on putting together a Burns Supper. I look forward to reading more.

    Did you know that every year, there is a Robert Burns Poetry Competition in the Scottish primary schools? Children in each grade level recite a Scottish poem (not a Burns poem, it’s in his honour) and the child who recites best wins. The children love it, and it’s a great opportunity for the children to speak in native tongue and dialect, as opposed to the forced upon them “proper” English that is spoken in class.

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    • Thank you! We have great fun planning, and executing, our Burns Suppers. We don’t go strictly by the book start to finish, but they are always in the right spirit. I decided to write about this year’s event, since it falls within the bounds of my blog.

      I had not heard of the Robert Burns Poetry Competition until just now, but it sounds wonderful. I bet it is a joy to listen to the kids recite Scottish poems in their native tongue and dialect. How awesome! Thanks for sharing, and teaching me something I did not know.

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  4. HA HA! I wish I had friends nearby who could enjoy parties like this. The only people I know who enjoy good literature are all bloggers in different places. So I decided…you should all move here. Right now! Come on! I want to go to a poetry party and talk like Scrooge McDuck 😦

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    • If it makes you feel better, some of our friends enjoy my husband’s cooking, my baking, free booze, and good conversation more than good literature. We suck them in with all of those things, but they end up loving the poetry part, too. You could do that, if you are willing to be sneaky! 🙂

      One of the other WordPress bloggers, who is based in LA, suggested that I Skype the party. Haha, maybe I will do a live feed next time. Perhaps you should have a Scrooge McDuck Poetry Slam. I don’t see how anyone could resist that…

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  5. I didn’t realize a Burns Night Supper was a thing…that’s so cool!! Now I feel the need to hear at least one recited poetry piece…as you, Ms. Eye Candy in her new red dress, feeds me her famous cupcakes.

    ^ Sometimes I wonder what’s wrong with me. I’ve had a long day (of fun) and am slightly delusional please do not pay me any attention. The above comment was meant to be a compliment and not creepy in any way. Instead if rewording the comment, I’ve decided to leave you this ridiculously long comment to explain myself. You’re welcome.

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    • Oh, it is definitely a thing. Worldwide, too. We aren’t strict followers of the traditional protocol (which is a thing, too) that various Burns societies (that’s a third real thing) usually follow. We are a bit more fun! Okay, a lot more fun!

      The rest of your comment, and your awkward girl explanation, made me crack up. I am not creeped out. I got the spirit of what you were going for. 🙂
      Although, as an aside, I am not sure if I am going to wear the red dress. I went shopping with my bestie yesterday and bought 2 more dresses…I really don’t have a shopping problem, honest! It’s just I had a gift card and I found a dress at Macy’s marked below $10.00. How could I pass it up? Then, I made the mistake of walking into H&M only to see that a dress I’ve had my eye on for weeks was marked half off. Choices, I have too many of them now!

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      • Whoa! Cool!!

        Hahaha oh yay! 😀

        Oooh I love great deals!! I think it’s way better to buy lots of things that you’ve been eying all at once because it’s on sale then to buy it one at a time at full price! Awesome steals!! I’m sure Chef Hubby can help you choose one 🙂

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      • Yeah, I couldn’t resist. I mean, I got the second and third dresses combined for less than the first one (which was on sale, too)! The Chef thinks I am beautiful no matter what I wear (yeah, he’s a keeper), so I am not sure how much help he will be. I couldn’t pass up the deals, not for 3 dresses I really love. I figure that I have my next two events/special occasions covered now, too!

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      • What a keeper! I approve!! Even though I’m somewhat late and my opinion on that matter probably doesn’t matter that much…haha.

        That’s so good!

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      • Haha, on the one hand I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. But on the other hand, every time someone tells me he’s a keeper, I secretly think, “Of course he is, bitch. I wouldn’t have chosen him otherwise.” So thank you for validating my awesomeness. 🙂

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