Happy Burns Day

Today is Robbie Burns Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated by Scots throughout the world. The day commemorates the birth of the great Scottish poet Robbie Burns.

Burns is known to most people for a couple of poems --To a Mouse comes immediately to mind -- and for his setting of an old Scottish folk song -- Auld Lang Syne -- that has become a New Year's Eve tradition. A few may also be aware of his poem dedicated to that dubious delicacy -- haggis.

Personally, though, I prefer to think of Burns as a collector and enhancer of Scottish folk songs. There are few songs as beautiful as My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose, although that particular tune is often massacred by Irish tenor wannabes. (If you want to hear the definitive version, check out the Andy M. Stewart recording of Burns' songs.) Another great song is Green Grow the Rashes. In a totally different vein, Rattling, Roaring Willie is a rattling good time.

Some of you who are Scottish may already have plans to commemorate the day by attending a real, live Burns Day celebration, complete with a haggis piped into the dining hall and Scottish fiddle ensembles. The rest of you can celebrate by raising a glass of your finest malt whisky and toasting the poet's body of work.