It's Robbie Burns day!

In case you have no clue who that is, Robbie Burns was a Scottish poet. He was born in the lowlands January 25, 1759 (250 years ago) and wrote many poems about his country. Every year, January 25 is considered Robbie Burns day, and there are celebrations where a great haggis is made, and carried in on a platter, following a piper, to the cheers of whomever happens to be in the room. ( Most people I know, would however, groan if they had to eat haggis haha)

So, in my small way of celebrating the day, here is Robert Burns' "Address to a Haggis"

Address To A Haggis
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,

chieftain o' the puddin-race!

Aboon them a' ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy o' a grace

As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,

hurdies like a distant hill,

pin wad help to mend a mill

In time o' need,

While thro' your pores the dews distil

Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like ony ditch;

then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn,

they stretch an' strive:

Deil tak the hindmost!

on they drive,

Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,

Are bent lyke drums;

Then auld Guidman,

maist like to rive,"Bethankit!" 'hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout

Or olio that wad staw a sow,

Or fricassee wad mak her spew

Wi' perfect sconner,

Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view

On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him ower his trash

As feckless as a wither'd rash,

His spindle shank,

a guid whip-lash,

His nieve a nit;

Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,

O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic,

haggis fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread.

Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He'll mak it whissle;

An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned

Like taps o' thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o' fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

that jaups in luggies;

But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,

Gie her a haggis!