The Words of Burns

Click here to listen: https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/complimentary-epigram-on-maria-riddell Mrs Maria Riddell, for whom Robert Burns composed the following epigram, had a complex relationship with the poet. He admired her not only for her womanly beauty but also her understanding of his poetic efforts. Their platonic friendship was suspended for a time following an incident in the house of her brother-in-law Robert Riddell, in which Burns appears to have in some way ‘g

Click here to listen: https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/on-sensibility Robert Burns sent these words to his long-standing supporter, Mrs Frances Dunlop, on the occasion of the death of her son-in-law in 1790. However, a year later, he took up the text again and personalised it for his Clarinda, changing the start of the second line to “Dearest Nancy”. He also told the lady he had just written the poem, with no mention of recycling it. “Sensibility, how charming, Thou, my

Click here to listen: https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/craigieburn-wood Craigieburn, near Moffat, was the home of Jean Lorimer who was the subject of many poems and songs written by Robert Burns. She was also referred to by the poet as ‘Chloris’. The following piece is the second work by that name and was penned by Burns during the winter of 1794/95. “Sweet fa's the eve on Craigieburn, And blythe awakes the morrow; But a' the pride o' Spring's return Can yield me nocht b

Click here to listen: https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/epitaph-from-tam-samsons-elegy Last week I attended a gathering of the Robert Burns Guild of Speakers as we paid a visit to the new offices of the Robert Burns World Federation in Kilmarnock. In conversation, my attention was drawn to the grave in the Laigh kirkyard opposite, of Tam Samson, an old friend of Robert Burns. The poet wrote a great Elegy for Tam and, as it is quite a long poem, today I’m recording just th