burns night

Holy Willie's Prayer is a fabulous satirical poem. It's one of the best satirical poems ever written in the Scots tongue. It is all about the hypocrisy of the Church, and one person in particular. 

Willie Fisher was an elder of the kirk in Mauchline, and spied on people and then told the Church to punish them for their sins. He took a dislike to Gavin Hamilton and a feud started. This resulted in a court case which angered Robert Burns, who went on to use this incident as the basis for this poem. Gavin won the court case, with the help of another lawyer, Robert Aitken.

The poem that this incident inspired is a work of art, and is performed at many Burns Suppers the world over.

Robert also wrote Epitaph to Holy Willie and The Kirk's Alarm, two other poems about Willie Fisher.

In this episode of Burns Banter we play some of Robert Burns songs and tunes. 

I have guests! on this weeks show we have the band 'Garbh Uisge'. We chat about songs such as 'A Fond Kiss', 'Auld Lang Syne' and 'Green Grow the Rashes'. Garbh Uisge treat us to some live performances and unfortunately I also sing.

We hear some great burns waltz's and fast reels, talk about the stories behind the songs and generally have a good time. Tune in, listen and maybe even sing along with us ...

Slange Var!!!

Willie Wastle, also known as 'Sic a wife Willie had' as a grotesquely funny poem / song about how unbelievably ugly Willie's wife is. Robert Burns wrote this poem in 1792 and he goes into comically hideous detail about this poor woman's appearance.   

The actual reason, or inspiration behind Robert Burns writing 'Willie Wastle' has been lost to history, but two different thoughts remain. One is that it is cover for some political rant about an incident or argument that has been long forgotten. The other thought is its actually about a specific woman. If it is about a specific woman then she probably annoyed or angered Robert in some way and he has repaid that anger by ripping her apart in verse.

Listen to this episode, hear the description of this unfortunate woman, (I explain all the Scots words so its easy to understand), and decide for yourself what the poem is actually about...

Slange Var !

Auld Lang Syne is Robert Burns most famous song, and the second most sung song in the English language. Yet, most people have no idea what it means, or where it came from.

In this episode I tell you where the lyrics for Auld Lang Syne came from, where the famous tune came from, and what the song is actually about! I explain all the difficult Scottish words so that you can finally understand this song that you have been singing for years.

listen to this episode and never be confused again whilst singing Auld Lang Syne.

I also explain why it is so popular.....

PLEASE NOTE: I say in this episode that George Thomson published 'The Scots Musical Museum' , this is wrong, he published 'Select Scottish Airs', which Burns contributed heavily to. It was James Johnson who published 'The Scots Musical Museum'. He produced six volumes between 1787 and 1803. Robert Burns was the main contributor and virtual editor of the volumes until his death in 1796. Stephen Clarke was the musical editor.

Cheers! Alastair

WARNING !!! - This Episode is probably better watched as a video.
https://youtu.be/tXES21N-T9w?si=Lb5yL70GKXPYteFm

In this episode I travel to Dumfries and go on a whistle stop tour of the places Robert Burns lived, worked and socialised. Theses places include Robert Burns Grave, Robert Burns House, The Globe Inn and Ellisland Farm. 

I recite the poem 'My Love is like a Red Red Rose' in the very room that it was written in. I have the absolute pleasure of sitting in 'The Poets Chair' (THE chair Robert sat on and recited poetry in the Globe Inn) and I finish this episode with a visit to Ellisland Farm, where Robert wrote Tam O Shanter, The Wounded Hare, To Mary in Heaven and Auld Lang Syne.

If you want to see / hear about the places around Dumfries that influenced Robert Burns, then this is the episode for you!

The Selkirk Grace is a well known and well used grace. It is used not only at Burns Suppers but at family gatherings, weddings, funerals, birthdays, etc...

What is the Selkirk Grace? did Robert Burns write it? Listen to this episode to find out about this grace and its history. 

You will also hear about a few other grace's that Robert wrote and used.

Listen, laugh, and possibly even learn with Alastair Turnbull and Burns Banter.

Cheers!

'Willie Brew'd a Peck O' Maut' is one of Robert Burns best drinking songs.

It was written by Robert Burns in August / September 1789 whilst staying with Willie Nicol at his lodgings just outside Moffat. Allan Masterton was also there and he wrote the music. 

This all happened over a few days during a 'Lads weekend' together. It is just a whole lot of fun rolled up in some great lyrics and sung to a joyous tune.

Enjoy!

The 'Address to a Haggis' is one of the most recited pieces that Robert Burns ever created. 

It is a major part of every Burns Supper the world over, but sadly, very few people understand what is being said. Thankfully this episode of Burns Banter bursts through the old Scots language and explains whats going on in the Address. The language is explained, the images are made clear and I even tell you when and where the poem is believed to have been written. 

If you want to finally understand what is going on in 'Address to a Haggis' then this is the episode for you!

Download it, listen to it, and you'll be ready for your next Burns Supper>

Enjoy!

'To William Stewart' is a poem about a hangover. 

We have all at one time or another taken too much alcohol during a night out and suffered the inevitable hangover. But unlike us, who just sit there and endure the pain of the hangover, Robert Burns wrote a poem about it and sent it to his friend William Stewart. It was never meant to be published, it was just a bit of fun between two good friends. Luckily for us the poem was saved and we can enjoy it today.

It was written in 1789 in the Brownhill Inn, which was Roberts local pub when he lived at Ellisland Farm. 

William Stewart was a very good friend of Robert Burns, probably one of his best friends.

Burns Banter episode 5 is all about the poem / song 'My Heart is in the Highlands'. This poem was written by Robert Burns in 1789 and shows his love of the Highlands of Scotland.

Its an easy poem to read and understand, so if you have to recite a poem at a Burns Night then this might be the one for you!

What is a Birk? Where is Aberfeldy? and what was Robert Burns doing there?

The answers to all of these questions, and more, is in this episode of Burns Banter.

We look at the poem / song The Birks o' Aberfeldy, which was written in 1757 during Robert Burns tour of Scotland. We also look at the lasting effect this poem has had on the area of Aberfeldy.

A fond kiss is one of Robert Burns best known love songs. 

Why did Robert Burns write this song? who are the people in the song? why are they being forced apart? To find out the answers to these questions check out this episode 3 of Burns Banter, which is all about the story behind the song 'A Fond Kiss'. In this episode I read the original version of Ae fond Kiss ,(which includes a lot of old Scottish words), I also read a modern english version - which helps to you to get past the old Scots words and finally understand what is actually being said. I also give some information on what happened to the people in the song...

If you want to understand more about Robert Burns, his poems, his songs and his life, then please subscribe to my podcast 'Burns Banter' - you won't be disappointed...

In this first ever episode of Burns Banter we look at Robert Burns first ever poem. What was it? who or what is it about? and the BIG question, why did he start writing poetry? What inspired him ? 

The answers to these questions, (and many more), are waiting for you, check it out...

In this second episode of Burns Banter we look at the song Rigs o' Barley. This is a popular song written by Robert Burns and is about two people who meet in the fields at night and spend some intimate time together.  I give you information about the people in the song, who are they? why meet at night?.. I will read the original song, (which includes a lot of old Scottish words), and then read a modern english version so that you can understand what is being said.

Fair warning!!! the themes in this song are quite adult. Tune into the episode if you want to find out who the people are, why they are meeting in the fields at night, what happened to them and lots more...

A transcript for this podcast can be found online, here. 
Adam McNaughtan delivers an illustrated talk with Gordeanna McCulloch entitled ‘Words for Tunes: Robert Burns as a Lyric-Writer’ at the Cullerie Singing Weekend in 2009. It was recorded by Professor Ian Russell.