The Bards of 'Let it Blaw'

At a Committee Meeting on 19th December 1887, George Y. Robertson was appointed the first Bard of ‘Late it Blaw,’ The role of the Bard has changed a bit over the years but remains an important responsibility with today’s Bard’s Oration at the annual Supper often referring to a matter (or matters) of significance over the previous year. It can be serious or as humorous as the Bard chooses to make it.

Very few cronies have been honoured as Bard since George performed the Bard’s duties at our 1888 Supper.

George Y. Robertson

1888, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897. 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1913

The conscientious work of long-time Club Secretary John Fairbairn has ensured the Bard’s Oration of 1891 has survived. It can be read by clicking on the link below:

1891 – Ragged Rhymes

1908 – Greetings to the Colinton Burns Club

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James Whitelaw

1889, 1890

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John Davidson

1902, 1910, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919

In October 1913, a copy of John Davidson’s “Bard’s Oration” from 1910 was found in old papers. This gem of ‘Let if Blaw’ history highlights how the Club has changed very little over 100+ years. The last verse is as close as we have in writing to explain the origin of the name ‘Let it Blaw’ being related to an outburst relative to the weather at that first meeting . Take a moment to read how things were done in 1910. Does it all sound a bit familiar ?

1910 – A Crack tae the Club

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George A. Shiels

1909

No Bard’s Orations from the hand of George Shiels have survived. However, one of his poems written in tribute to one of the Founders of ‘Let it Blaw’ is still with us and can be be viewed below:

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1909 – Tribute to William Garlick of Hannahfield

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Andrew Falconer

1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930

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James Orr

1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937

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Willie Shanks BEM

1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

1975 – The Village Ha’

1976 – [ Wha is this Man ]

1981 – [ A Hundred Years ]

1991 – Arm for Peace

1992 – [ Immortal Rabbie Burns ]

Date Unknown – The Moosie’s Reply to Rabbie

Date Unknown – Ode to Robert Burns

Date Unknown – If Rabbie had gone to the Indies

The three orations above which are in [ Parenthesis ] had not been given a title by the author. A title has been given to them from either the first or final line of the poem.

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Jimmy Johnstone MBE