A year ago tonight, I was in Los Angeles celebrating among friends the life and legacy of Robert Burns, the quintessential Scottish poet, who would have been a ripe 349 years old today had he not tragically passed away at the age of 37. For the uninitiated, Burns is generally celebrated with a rousing Burns supper on his birthday, January 25, featuring haggis, other traditional Scottish foods, Burns's poetry, and (of course) a great deal of Scotch whisky.
Unfortunately, I've since moved to DC, and none of my friends here seemed particularly interested in sharing a haggis (even if it came with some Scotch). That, and I'm fighting off a nasty cold and can't really leave the house. So for the rest of y'all staying in on a cold and blustery January night, I offer you the (un)official DailyKos Rabbie Burns "supper."
Please take this opportunity to toast your favorite Kossacks, your favorite Democrats, your favorite baseball players, and, of course, Rabbie Burns and his native Scotland. Post your favorite Burns poem, an interesting, provocative, or silly thought, or your favorite Scotch, and drink one for ol' Rabbie.
I'll start 'er out: A Red, Red Rose.
O my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve!
And fare-thee-weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!
Cheers!
UPDATE: Here's a link to all of Burns's poems and songs. Have at it, lads and lasses.