Burn's Night

My multicultural education continues. This weekend I attended my first Burn's Night, which commemorated the 250th birthday of Scotland's poet laureate, Robby Burns. This event is celebrated in Scottish communities worldwide.

This Burns Night was hosted by Laird Derrick and Lady Jacqui, seen below "addressing the haggis."

The event includes a traditional dinner of haggis, neeps and tatties. Yeah, I didn't know what any of that was either before dinner and I thought it best not to look too closely at the recipes before trying it. Everything was really good, even the haggis - really.

It also includes manly men in kilts (don't dare call them skirts) reciting poetry. It was really fun! It's like dinner theater only a lot funnier. Each man was assigned a Burns poem to recite. More than one person said they wished they got their assignment the week before so they could practice. And many of them knew verses of all the poems and recited them along as well. They also broke into song several times. It was really a lot of fun!

I can't think of any sing-a-long songs like that in America. Not unless you count, "Sweet Caroline" that's played at the end of the night to close several bars in Boston; or the ubiquitous chant, "Yankees Suck!" regardless of the event going on at Fenway. These guys had a song for everything.

There was even original poetry recited by bard Roy. I have included it below. As you’ll see I am learning two languages here: Arabic and Scottish-English.

Enjoy and Cheers to Roy and all the Lairds and Lasses!

Ode to Sakara Gold Beer

Sakara is a wonderful drink
It gets ye drunk and makes ye think,
In fact it is a work of art
It makes ye burp and swear and fart

Cans or bottles ye can get
Cool, refreshing, bubbly and wet.
Even draught is in some places
It puts a smile on people’s faces

So’ Efter work – head tae the bar
Just get pished and leave the car.
And remember ! that I warned yer
To keep away fae “Scotties corner”

Another Sakara will help you out
When you canny walk or shout.
So Gulp it Doon until yer burstin
Sakara fairly quenches thirstin’

Sakara makes you clever too
Another language comes oot yer Moo’
Cos when you’ve had, a few at night
Ye start to speak a load of shite

Och! “Gies another” I’m on a mission
“And a dozen cans for the fishin”
With Sakara gold in the pub
Ye Forget aboot yer work or GRUB.

Then stagger hame – tae watch the telly
With a big Sakara golden belly,
And fall asleep to dream of lasses
Filling up Sakara Glasses

So’ Next time you are feeling low
Sakara Gold will make you glow
Cheers to you all – young and old
Ye canna beat Sakara Gold

Roy – Cairo 2008