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This was the Oration written and presented by Club Bard, Willie Shanks,
on the occasion of the Club’s centenary supper on Saturday 24th January 1981.
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In the village of Balerno,
a hundred years has gaen,
Since the Burns Club started,
Wi’ a wheen of stalwart men.
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They gathered in the Grey Horse Inn,
On a wild bleak, winter’s night,
Ower a wee drap o’ the cratur,
In twinkling candlelight.
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When a man barged in frae Currie,
Weet and white wi’ snaw,
When someone shouted “shut that door,”
He answered “Let it Blaw.”
![](https://letitblaw.org/wpl2022/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Spirit-of-Let-it-Blaw-400w.jpg)
They sang the sangs o’ Rabbie,
And quoted o’ his verse,
Sin vowed they’d hae a supper,
Tae honour him nae less.
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They ca’d the Landlord tae their side,
And telt him o’ their plan,
He said “aye” maist heartily,
They agreed tae a man.
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In twa weeks time aroond the board,
Sat a dozen men and mair,
Drank deep the guid John Barleycorn,
And toasted loud and clear.
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Here’s tae oor honest ploughman bard,
Ill fated micht he be,
He left us a’ a legacy,
We’ll honour till we dee.
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The haggis, neeps and tatties,
Piped in wi’ fervent care,
Auld Scotland’s best o’ victuals,
Guid and halesome fare.
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In two years time they realised,
The Club’s name had spread afar,
Frae then they kept a record,
A’ thro the World War,
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Nae doot it’s had its ups and doons,
And thocht whiles aff the rails
When burstin’ wi’ new energy
On seas, calm water sails,
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Its venue’s oft’ been shifted,
Whiles been barged aboot,
But what on earth, it’s nane the waur,
O’ getting a new look.
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I can see in the Club’s Bicentenary,
When men have reached the stars,
They’ll honour still oor ploughman bard,
As they look doon frae afar,
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Long may oor Club continue,
Wi’ men no’ born the day,
And celebrate auld Scotland’s Bard,
In its same auld happy way.
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