We have had a wee bit of a discussion on Scotland’s national poet prior to this.  It might be good to cross reference this if the reader is just now coming into this discussion.  For now, let’s move on to the present volume.  Burns described himself as “an Aeolian harp strung to every wind of heaven”.  His poetic reputation serves to confirm this.

The present volume consists of 43 of his poems and songs.  A handful of these and a musical homage to Burns is attached below for the reader’s use and pleasure. This volume contains “The Twa Dogs” a satire of Scotland’s upper classes.  In addition to this another fine poetry by Burns is also his effort at preserving and restoring the rich tradition of Scottish song with a selection of works including “A Red, Red Rose“; “Auld Lang Syne“, “Comin’Thro’the Rye” and others.

I’m hard pressed to give words that do justice to his masterful poetry.  Perhaps, we should allow his words to speak for themselves.  And… so we shall.

The Poems and Songs of Robert Burns in their pertinent part for today’s reading may be found here:

http://www.bartleby.com/6/238.html

here:

http://www.bartleby.com/6/341.html

here:

http://www.bartleby.com/6/379.html

and here:

http://www.bartleby.com/6/499.html

In a blessing of abundance, there is a complete recording by Eddi Reader available to be listened to here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyN5OXr2zYw&t=847s