Scotland Winter Festivale - Burns Nights

SCOTLAND'S   WINTER   FESTIVAL

BURNS NIGHT - JANUARY 27TH 2012

Burns night is the celebration of Scotland's famous poet Robert Burns. This has been celebrated for over 200 years. It originally started by a few of  his close friends, after his death in 1796, to commemorate his death.  The tradition of starting with a PIPER and HAGGIS, has remained unchanged over the years.

Robert Burns who received no formal education was the son of a farmer and he was born at Alloway, near Ayr, Scotland. Reared on a diet of austerity and Calvinistic rectitude, He initially trained as a flax dresser, taking over the family farm with his brother on his father's death.

Following a number of passionate love affairs, he finally married Jean Armstrong who had borne him a child several years earlier and farmed near Dumfries, apparently unsuccessfully as he had to work as an excise officer to supplement his income. In spite of having two jobs, he composed numerous songs and poems. 

In Scotland, he is a cult figure as a rustic poet and the pride of his nation with his own celebratory night. His output during his short and hectic life was truly prolific and his works include many classic songs and poems which have become household names. 

One of the most famous poems has been adapted into a tradional song, this is sung throughout the whole of Britain on the stroke of midnight, to bring in the New Year.

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 Meanings auld lang syne - times gone by be - pay for braes - hills braid - broad burn - stream dine - dinner time fiere - friend fit - foot gowans - daisies guid-willie waught - goodwill drink monie - many morning sun - noon paidl't - paddled pint-stowp - pint tankard pou'd - pulled twa - two.

At Party Tracker we have a wide and varied selection of  fancy dress costumes and accessories from Scotland paper bunting, a Tam O Shanter hat and a st Andrews wig.  We have a wealth of knowledge and experience within the party industry, visit our website for all of your needs for a fantastic Burns Night.