Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist, widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. He was born on January 25, 1759, and passed away on July 21, 1796. Burns is celebrated for his lyrical poetry and use of the Scots language. His works commonly address universal themes such as love and nature, as well as more political and social issues. Robert Burns’s influence extends beyond Scotland, and he is recognized globally for his literary contributions.
Robert Burns’s famous poem “Address to a Haggis” is an integral part of Burns Night, a celebration of the Scottish poet’s life and works. The poem praises the haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, with great enthusiasm and is often recited before the haggis is ceremonially sliced open.
Celebrating Robert Burns with The Address to a Haggis – Rebecca's Reading Room
Address to a Haggis
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o’ the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o’ need,
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin’, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
‘Bethankit’ hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad make her spew
Wi’ perfect sconner,
Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro’ bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll make it whissle;
An’ legs an’ arms, an’ heads will sned,
Like taps o’ thrissle.
Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o’ fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer,
Gie her a Haggis
Cheers to Robert Burns and the rich tapestry of Scottish heritage!
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