Zu den festen Bestandteilen einer Burnsnight gehören einige Reden & Gedichte von/über Robert Burns.
Host’s Welcome
A heartful welcome by the nights host to start the proceedings.
Selkirk Grace
All of the guests are seated and Selkirk Grace is said. The Selkirk Grace is a well-known thanksgiving said before meals, using the Lallans Lowland Scots language. Although attributed to Burns, the Selkirk Grace was already known in the 17th century, as the “Galloway Grace” or the “Covenanters’ Grace”. It came to be called the Selkirk Grace because Burns was said to have delivered it at a dinner given by the Earl of Selkirk.
The Selkirk Grace | Das Selkirk Tischgebet |
Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae let the Lord be thankit. (wad = lack) |
Der sitzt vor’m Mahl und leidet Qual, |
Address to a Haggis
Everyone stands as the ceremonial haggis is presented by the cook carrying it on a large plate. A piper plays bagpipes until the haggis arrives at the buffet. Then preferrably a real scot recites the famous Robert Burns poem Address To a Haggis. At the line “His knife see rustic Labour dicht” the speaker normally draws and cleans a dagger or knife, and at the line “An’ cut you up wi’ ready slicht”, plunges it into the haggis and cuts it open from end to end. At the end of the poem, prompted by the speaker, the audience now joins in the toast to the haggis. Raise a glass and shout: The haggis!
Original | German translation |
Fair fa‘ your honest, sonsie face, (sonsie = jolly/cheerful; aboon = above; painch = stomach, thairm = intestine) |
Schön dich zu sehen, altes Fettgesicht, |
The groaning trencher there ye fill, (hurdies = buttocks) |
Das gähnend´ Grabenloch da unten, füllst du |
His knife see rustic Labour dicht, (dicht = wipe, idea of sharpening; slicht = skill; reeking = steaming) |
Messer geschärft seh´n wir kräft´ge Männer |
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an‘ strive: (deil = devil; swall‘d = swollen; kytes = bellies; auld Guidman = man of the house; belyve = soon; rive = tear, i.e. burst) |
Löffel für Löffel, langen sie aus, mit Verlangen: |
Is there that o‘re his French ragout (olio = stew, from Spanish olla‘/stew pot, staw = make sick; scunner = disgust) |
Gibt´s hier jemand, der über fränzösisch´Ragout |
Poor devil! see him ower his trash, (nieve = fist; nit = louse‘s egg, i.e. tiny) |
Armer Teufel! Seht ihn über seinem Mist |
But mark the Rustic, haggis fed, (wallie = mighty, nieve = fist; sned = cut off; thristle = thistle) |
Doch sieh´ den Bauern, Haggis- genährt, |
Ye Pow‘rs wha mak mankind your care, (skinkin ware = watery soup; jaups = slops about, luggies = two-“eared” (handled) continental bowls) |
Ihr Mächte die ihr die Menschheit zum Geschäft euch nehmt, |
Enjoy your meal!
Speeches and toasts to commermorate the Scottish bard are given after the dinner. Often beginning with a (more or less) loyal toast to the reigning monarch.
Loyal Toast
A toast to the health of the monarch (A toast tae ..?).
Everyone toast
Immortal memory to Robert Burns
A short speech, remembering some aspect of Burns’ life or poetry.
Everyone drinks a toast to Robert Burns.
Toast to the Lassies
This was originally a short speech given by a male guest in thanks to those women who had prepared the meal. However nowadays it is much more wide ranging, and generally covers the male speaker’s view on women. It is normally amusing but should never be offensive, particularly bearing in mind that it will be followed by a reply from the “lassies” concerned.
The men drink a toast to the women’s health.
Reply to the Toast to the Lassies
This is occasionally (and humorously) called the ‘Toast to the Laddies’, and like the previous toast it is generally quite wide ranging nowadays. In it a female guest will give her views on men and reply to any specific points raised by the previous speaker. Like the previous speech this should be amusing but not offensive.
The women drink a toast to the men.
Céilidh– Scottish Dances
Céilidh music may be provided by an assortment of fiddle, flute, tin whistle, accordion, bodhrán, and in more recent times also drums and electric bass guitar. The music is cheerful and lively.
Dancing at céilidhs is usually in the form of céilidh dances, set dances or couple dances.
Privately organised cèilidhs are now extremely common in Scotland, where bands are hired, usually for evening entertainment for a wedding, birthday party or other celebratory event. These bands vary in size, although are commonly made up of between 2 and 6 players. The appeal of the Scottish cèilidh is by no means limited to the younger generation, and dances vary in speed and complexity in order to accommodate most age groups and levels of ability.
Public céilidhs are also held. Universities in Scotland hold regular cèilidhs, with the University of Edinburgh providing a number of ones for students throughout each term, especially the long-running Highland Annual, the oldest cèilidh in Edinburgh, organized by the Highland Society.
When the traditional “Auld Lang Syne” (see back cover) is sung in the end we invite you to have a last drink and wish you a save journey home.
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