Preamble
.
It may be a risky thing to do at a Burns’ Supper, however, I admit that I just don’t get the jist of “Man Was Made to Mourn.”
There are several frequently quoted lines in the poem:
“Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.” That is self- evident although wonderfully expressed.
“Death is the poor man’s greatest friend – the kindest and the best.” I disagree. It seems defeatist to me.
“I‘ve seen that weary winter sun twice forty times return.” So have I, but I have also seen eighty summer suns return.
–
I can still remember the school services which preceded the eight weeks of glorious summer holiday.
We all sang with gusto ………..
“Summer suns are glowing over land and sea.
Happy light is flowing bountiful and free.
Everything rejoices in the mellow rays.
All Earth’s thousand voices swell the psalm of praise.”
My reflections on my eighty years are very different to those of “the greybeard.”
Cronies — I ask you for your indulgence.
–
Man’s No’ Made Tae Moan
–
I’m gratefu’ fur ma daily fare
And sae the Lord be thankit.
Please don’t walk the Banks o’ Ayr
Ye micht meet a wet blanket.
–
Rab met an ancient greybeard there
All wretched and forlorn
The greybeard’s message Rabbie heard
Wis man wis made tae mourn.
–
Tho’ my opinion’s little worth
I hope that you’ll believe it
I ‘ve loved my four score years on Earth.
I’m no too keen tae leave it.
–
I mind not when a’ ships were wid
And pansies a’ were floors.
But maist the days I had were guid.
I ‘ve had mony happy oors.
–
Oor last twa suppers- baith wur zoomed
And Covid’s still a worry.
But nae yin thinks that we’re a’ doomed,
Except fur Johnnie Lawrie.
–
Oor weather’s getting’ mair extreme.
Auld Scotia’s getting’ warmer.
It’s here! It’s real! It’s no’ a dream.
Jist talk tae ony farmer.
–
Climate change is obvious.
Increasing greenhouse gasses.
Mair action ca’ed fur all o’ us
Wi every month that passes.
–
Brazilian forests disappear.
Oor seas are fu’ o’ plastic.
The polar ice melts and I fear,
We must dae somethin’ drastic.
–
Nae mair we wear the hodden grey.
Synthetics are much finer.
Oriental tailors hoddin sway.
Oor claes a’ come frae China.
–
“Nae wool or linen ‘s used they days.”
Said ma wife as a undressed her.
“Nae mair we’ve silken underclaes.
Oor drawers are polyester!”
–
My life has ta’en a few doon turns
Since the day that I was born
But I don’t agree wi’ Rabbie Burns
That Man was made tae mourn,
–
Or even made tae glower.
The dream I share wi’ ithers
Is Men the world ower
Shall one day, a’ be brithers.
–
Did yon greybeard ever crack a smile
Or ever winch a lady?
Or row her for a wee short while
A’ wrapped up in his plaidy?
–
When he wandered by a sylvan stream,
Did he tak a fishin’ rod?
Did her never have a happy dream?
Or gie thanks up tae God?
–
Burns should have scarpered really quick
For sure – He damn well knew.
That guy wis stickin’ like a tick
Like oor Victor Meldrew!
–
There is mair tae life than duty.
Coont the blessings we’ve been given.
This world is fu’ o’ beauty.
Gie thanks tae God in Heaven.
–
He didnae like the lords in power-
His thochts egalitarian
He thocht the masses should tak’ ower
Because there’s sae much mair o’ them
–
Tae change the order, one solution
Kills lords, tae ithers causes harm.
For results o’ revolution
Just read yer “Animal Farm.”
–
Tae gie Rabbie Burns a lecture
I find that rather droll
I’m tempted tae conjecture
He never mentioned birth control.
–
Eighty years o’ misery
He recounted – Whit a bore!
Unto a guy wha’s destiny
Wis a life less than twa score.
–
Rab wis aye an optimist
His gless wis aye half fu’
The auld guy wis a pessimist.
Rab didnae share his view.
–
Tae listen nearly half a day
Tae depressing subject matter
Rab should have maybes walked away…….
Or thrown him in the watter!
–
Andy Mc Gowan
28th Janury 2023