Robbie Burns!

[Silas Thorne]

I can't find Robbie Burns among the Author list, and wonder why.
He's often regarded as Scotland's greatest poet and lyricist.

Who loves the ballad 'John Barleycorn' or the song 'Auld Lang Syne' ? Perhaps you love his poem about a mouse? Or even the classic, and oft mimicked: 'My love is like a red red rose'? Join with me and have a few drams.

Or should I start a group with this one?

[LostPrincess13]

Mr. Thorne, are you referring to Robert Burns? I love listening to his poems on audio! Except, I couldn't understand some of the words... Must be Scottish words...

[Silas Thorne]

Of course I mean RRRobert Burrrrns And he's a long time dead, so I don't know where you get the audio files from

[Silas Thorne]

Just kidding! Some of his poems and songs may be tough to get into,true. But not all. Some are very direct.

[Virgil]

By Jove there is no Robert Burns. Well, there should be. You should send Logos an PM or a note in her profile page.

[LostPrincess13]

LOL!) I came across a website once that reads out poems to you... I couldn't remember what it was though...

[Silas Thorne]

Thanks, Virgil. Will do.

John Barleycorn's first two stanzas, for those desirous for more:

There was three kings into the east,
Three kings both great and high,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die.

They took a plough and plough'd him down,
Put clods upon his head,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead....

[LostPrincess13]

wow, that's rather, um, harsh... may i ask if it's some sort of metaphor for something else?

[Silas Thorne]

Personification, actually. It's in the name..John Barleycorn, it's about producing barley into alcohol. Here are some of the last stanzas:

...They wasted, o'er a scorching flame,
The marrow of his bones;
But a miller us'd him worst of all,
For he crush'd him between two stones.

And they hae taen his very heart's blood,
And drank it round and round;
And still the more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.

John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
Of noble enterprise;
For if you do but taste his blood,
'Twill make your courage rise.

'Twill make a man forget his woe;
'Twill heighten all his joy;
'Twill make the widow's heart to sing,
Tho' the tear were in her eye.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland!

[Silas Thorne]

Whiskey, in all likelihood. He was a Scotsman.

Whence comes the phrase:
Never hide a Scotsman's whiskey.

[LostPrincess13]

Oh! Now i get it! I was wondering why it sounded like they were planting him or something... Hmmm... Quite an interesting literary style... Thank you for information, Mr. Thorne.

[Silas Thorne]

Don't mention it...and I invented the phrase from something my father said to me, if you're wondering.

[LostPrincess13]

LoL... I believe whiskey is Scottish for 'the water of life'? Hence the saying 'Never drink whiskey without water, and water without whiskey.' LoL!

[LostPrincess13]

Ooooh, do tell...

[Silas Thorne]

It could be, according to the drinking habits of all the Scotsmen I've seen, never drink whiskey without water and a beer.