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No.22

Robert Burns

A portrait by Alexander Nasmyth (1758-1840)

Burns was born on 25th January 1759 at Alloway and died in Dumfries on 21 July 1796.

Some interesting facts from Wikipedia:-

He had little regular schooling and got much of his education from his father, who taught his children reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and history. Robert was also taught by John Murdoch who opened an "adventure school" in Alloway  and taught Latin, French and mathematics. After a few years of home education, Burns was sent to Dalrymple Parish School, before returning at harvest time to full-time farm labouring until 1773, when he was sent to lodge with Murdoch for three weeks to study grammar, French, and Latin.

Burn's Cottage, Alloway

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This is probably the most familiar Burns song, one that's known all over the world. It reflects the new liberal ideas of the 18th century which were gradually spreading.

A Man's a Man for A' that

Is there for honest poverty 

That hings his head, an' a' that? 

The coward slave, we pass him by - 

We dare be poor for a' that! 

For a' that, an' a' that! 

Our toils obscure, an' a' that, 

The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 

The man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine, 

Wear hoddin grey an' a' that? 

Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine 

A man's a man for a' that. 

For a' that, an' a' that, 

Their tinsel show, an' a' that, 

The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor, 

Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie ca'd 'a lord', 

Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that? 

Tho' hundreds worship at his word, 

He's but a cuif for a' that, 

For a' that, an' a' that, 

His ribband, star, an' a' that, 

The man o' independent mind, 

He looks an' laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight, 

A marquis, duke, an' a' that! 

But an honest man's aboon his might - 

Guid faith, he mauna fa' that! 

For a' that, an' a' that, 

Their dignities, an' a' that, 

The pith o' sense an' pride o' worth 

Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may 

(As come it will for a' that) 

That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth, 

Shall bear the gree an' a' that, 

For a' that, an' a' that, 

It's comin yet for a' that, 

That man to man the world oe'r 

Shall brithers be for a' that.

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A Christmas Tree Maze
December 2016 Edinburgh
A great picure, the photographer not known

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A Zen Story

A student went to his meditation teacher and said, “My meditation is poor! I feel so distracted, or my legs ache, and I keep falling asleep. It’s just awful!”

“It will pass,” the teacher said calmly.

A week later, the student returned to the teacher. “My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive! It’s just great!’

“It will pass,” the teacher said calmly.

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"I may look well-behaved, but, if you cause trouble around here, 
I'll soon show you who's boss!"

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