Happy Burns Day! Today, January 25th is the anniversary of the birth of Scotlands national bard Robert Burns (January 25, 1759 - July 21, 1796). Today is a celebration of Burns work and up & down the country (globally too) where traditionally a Burns supper is a feast of haggis, neeps and tatties washed down with uisge beatha (whisky). Its a very Scottish affair full of tartan, kilts, bagpipes, singing and dancing.........and a lot of fun. Most of Burns poems were written in the Scots tongue and much of his best-loved were set to music. I have attached a recording of one of his celebrated poems and observations about social class and the worth of every man. His words, social observations and prayers are every bit as true today as they were when they were written in 1795. A Mans a Man For All That -Robert Burns English translation Is there for honest poverty That hangs his head and all that? The coward slave, we pass him by, We dare be poor for all that! For all that and all that. Our toils obscure and all that. The rank is but the guineas stamp. The Mans the gold for all that. What though on homely fare we dine, Wear hoddin grey, and all that. Give fools their silks and knaves their wine, A Mans a Man for all that, For all that and all that. Their tinsel show and all that. The honest man, though eer so poor, Is king of men for all that. You see yon birkie, called a lord, who struts, and stares and all that. Though hundreds worship at his word, Hes but a cuif for all that. For all that and all that, His riband, star, and all that. The man of independent mind He looks and laughs at all that. A prince can make a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and all that, But an honest mans above his might. Good faith, he mustnt fault that! For all that and all that, Their dignities and all that. The pith of sense and pride of worth Are higher rank than all that. Then let us pray that, come it may, (As come it will for all that) That Sense and Worth oer all the earth Shall bear the gree and all that. For all that and all that, Its coming yet for all that, That Man to Man the world oer Shall brothers be for all that. Notes and explanations to verse meanings: The sentiments expressed are universal. In Verse One, Burns is saying that wealth, or lack of it,and social class should not be the measure of a mans true worth. The rank is but the guineas stamp means that a person cannot be given a price. The mans character is the true gold. Verse Two continues the theme. We may wear ordinary clothes, and eat simple food, but appearance is just a show, like tinsel. Honesty is worth more than fancy clothes. Now Verse Three might have got Burns into some trouble in Edinburgh. The birkie (cool young guy) who struts around, and has the title of Lord, is only a coof (an idiot). The man who learns to think for himself is worth much more than that. Verse Four continues this theme. Princes can hand out titles at will, but honesty and pure goodness are worth much more. Self respect doesnt come from inherited wealth or titles. Verse Five is a prayer that Sense and Worth shall eventually agree with all mankind. Burns imagines a future world in which all people will live as brothers, in mutual trust and respect. Its coming yet, for a that. Scottish vernacular with meanings/explanations to certain words above. Is there for honest poverty (is there anybody honest but poor) That hangs his head and all that? (that cringes because of his poverty) The coward slave, we pass him by, coward slave=slave of his own pride We dare be poor for all that! For all that and all that. Our toils obscure and all that. Our toils obscure=We dare toil obscurely The rank is but the guineas stamp. The rank=Aristocratic rank guinea=a gold coin stamp=stamped on the face of the coin The Mans the gold for all that. What though on homely fare we dine, Wear hodden grey, and all that. hodden=coarse wool Give fools their silks and knaves their wine, A Mans a Man for all that, For all that and all that, Their tinsel show and all that. The honest man, though eer so poor, Is king of men for all that. You see yon birkie, called a lord, birkie=grand fellow who struts, and stares and all that. Though hundreds worship at his word, Hes but a cuif for all that. cuif=fool For all that and all that, His riband, star, and all that. riband=ribbon worn across the chest denoting an honor star=a medal in the shape of a star The man of independent mind He looks and laughs at all that. A prince can make a belted knight, belt=belt around a sash that is wrapped around the waist and shoulder, part of Scottish military dress A marquis, duke, and all that, But an honest mans above his might. Good faith, he mustnt fault that! fault that=fault being above the might of aristocratic rank For all that and all that, Their dignities and all that. The pith of sense and pride of worth Are higher rank than all that. Then let us pray that, come it may, (As come it will for all that) That Sense and Worth oer all the earth Shall bear the gree and all that. bear the gree=take the prize For all that and all that, Its coming yet, for all that, That Man to Man the world oer (world - wor-ld - two syllables) Shall brothers be for all that. https://youtube/watch?v=b2pGWkjwOBw
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:23:17 +0000
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