truer words never spoken. In this culture which worships foolish celebrities, idiot politicians, and often forgets the meaning of words like "honor'... 'we look and laugh at a' that"
This should be the anthem of the Occupy movement. My Mom would recite this poem of Rabbie Burns to me when I was in her womb & as a small boy growing up in Brooklyn. For some reason my Jewish, Brooklyn-born Mom loved the poetry of this bard of Scotland. Perhaps his egalitarian & liberal ideas jibed with her own. My Mom & Dad instilled those ideas in their young son. This poem was sung at the opening of the first Scottish Parliament in decades on 1 July 1999. Burns is the Patriot Poet of Scotland
@1950BobbyF An extremely poignant comment, so rare on YouTube! Its testament to the brilliance of this poetry that even a boy of Jewish decent growing up in far flung Brooklyn had such prose recited to him. In a few simple words Burns was capable of capturing more about love, humanity, life and futility than any other can grasp in paragraphs, spanning both culture and time. It would be interesting to know how your mother was introduced to him?
@BurnstheBard - Thanks so much for your kind words. I never thought to ask my Mom why Rabbie Burns was one of her favorite poets nor why she read all his poems to me while she was pregnant with me. Now, she has passed on & regretfully I canna ask her. But for some reason she loved reading Burns & I grew up with Robert the Bruce as my hero, as she loved telling me stories about The Bruce. I've lived in Scotland for a chunk of my 20's & always felt at home, right from the moment I arrived.
@BurnstheBard I have said African Americans says exactly the same thing as you.When they read this poem,or heard the song.Another Jewish man called Zak Zimmerman,is also a huge Burns fan.Better know to the world as Bob Dylan.He has went on record saying,the best thing he has ever heard was RED ROSE.
This pretty much summed my Grandfather up, his principles and attitude to life. A more decent man you wouldn't have found. Not two cents to rub together but he would have given you his last instead of seeing you stuck. He died 3 years ago today, and I love listening to this as it reminds me of him. Rest in peace grandad. Love you so much<3
Overall, yes, it beats the kilt off O Fhlùir Na h-Albann. But the latter needn't be derided; I find Navan's a capella version quite moving; check out an oddly cut sample on Amazon (this form doesn't like the link).
Didn't mean to be offensive Sir, & maybe "O Fhlùir Na h-Albann" works as an a capella song, but it makes a terrible National Anthem!
I have no axe to grind here mo chara, I just think you have potentially the FINEST lyric here & a jaunty tune to boot, that if adopted, would have the OPPOSITION singing your anthem too! Just my 2cents!
The Welsh Anthem kicks the rest of ours into touch at the moment, do u deny? This could at least help you guys rival them, is all I'm saying!
"If Scotland had a national anthem I'm sure this would be it! "
God it has to be! Please not that jingoistic dirge "Flower of Scotland". When you have this! Are ye's all mad?
These lyrics are sublime & wonderfully irreverent, and the tune is jaunty & catchy as hell! And surely you have to a nod to your Nation's Bard, in your National anthem?
@DonegalRaymie201 scotland will never have a gaelic anthem. a song in scots will do. scotland have failed miserably with flower of scotland. that anthem is abysmal. it gets my vote.
Well, surely some Sorley MacLean like bard could do a translation into Gaidhlig and then it could be sung in either tongue, like the Welsh "Land of my Fathers/ Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau"?
Whatever you do, get rid of that jingoistic trash "Flower of Scotland", and adopt this immediately! That you sing that funereal rubbish at Murrayfield, when you could/should be singing this is your National Disgrace! Pair Rabbie, would be turning in his grave!
Though I'm not Scottish, I get teary-eyed whenever I hear this poem/song. If it were my choice, it would definitely be Scotland's national anthem. The tune is simple, yet it grabs the heart where a more complicated, less memorable melody would fail. And the text speaks for itself.
"A Man's a Man for a' That" holds strong throughout Scottish history: more than Clans, Covenants, and a' that. And while those will fade to history, common dignity is sure to remain as true as it has always been.
A song for the dignity and decency of the common man as opposed to the pomp and nonsense of those who would elevate themselves with cash alone. Brilliant.
truer words never spoken. In this culture which worships foolish celebrities, idiot politicians, and often forgets the meaning of words like "honor'... 'we look and laugh at a' that"
heres to Mr Burns.
joeygsmom 4 weeks ago
This should be the anthem of the Occupy movement. My Mom would recite this poem of Rabbie Burns to me when I was in her womb & as a small boy growing up in Brooklyn. For some reason my Jewish, Brooklyn-born Mom loved the poetry of this bard of Scotland. Perhaps his egalitarian & liberal ideas jibed with her own. My Mom & Dad instilled those ideas in their young son. This poem was sung at the opening of the first Scottish Parliament in decades on 1 July 1999. Burns is the Patriot Poet of Scotland
1950BobbyF 3 months ago
@1950BobbyF An extremely poignant comment, so rare on YouTube! Its testament to the brilliance of this poetry that even a boy of Jewish decent growing up in far flung Brooklyn had such prose recited to him. In a few simple words Burns was capable of capturing more about love, humanity, life and futility than any other can grasp in paragraphs, spanning both culture and time. It would be interesting to know how your mother was introduced to him?
BurnstheBard 1 month ago
@BurnstheBard - Thanks so much for your kind words. I never thought to ask my Mom why Rabbie Burns was one of her favorite poets nor why she read all his poems to me while she was pregnant with me. Now, she has passed on & regretfully I canna ask her. But for some reason she loved reading Burns & I grew up with Robert the Bruce as my hero, as she loved telling me stories about The Bruce. I've lived in Scotland for a chunk of my 20's & always felt at home, right from the moment I arrived.
1950BobbyF 1 month ago
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@BurnstheBard I have said African Americans says exactly the same thing as you.When they read this poem,or heard the song.Another Jewish man called Zak Zimmerman,is also a huge Burns fan.Better know to the world as Bob Dylan.He has went on record saying,the best thing he has ever heard was RED ROSE.
legandrydirk 1 month ago
This pretty much summed my Grandfather up, his principles and attitude to life. A more decent man you wouldn't have found. Not two cents to rub together but he would have given you his last instead of seeing you stuck. He died 3 years ago today, and I love listening to this as it reminds me of him. Rest in peace grandad. Love you so much<3
MrEwanwalker 3 months ago in playlist lyrics
I love this song, and love Scotland. You guys should be proud of such an amazing country, small though it is. <3
shareqeredd 8 months ago 3
@shareqeredd small in what way? land size is not as important as technology becomes more advanced
3tangle3 4 weeks ago
love thiss :) <3.xx
JustinBieberGayBoy 1 year ago
Overall, yes, it beats the kilt off O Fhlùir Na h-Albann. But the latter needn't be derided; I find Navan's a capella version quite moving; check out an oddly cut sample on Amazon (this form doesn't like the link).
hutch01301 1 year ago
@hutch01301
Didn't mean to be offensive Sir, & maybe "O Fhlùir Na h-Albann" works as an a capella song, but it makes a terrible National Anthem!
I have no axe to grind here mo chara, I just think you have potentially the FINEST lyric here & a jaunty tune to boot, that if adopted, would have the OPPOSITION singing your anthem too! Just my 2cents!
The Welsh Anthem kicks the rest of ours into touch at the moment, do u deny? This could at least help you guys rival them, is all I'm saying!
DonegalRaymie201 1 year ago
if world peace was ever acomplished and there was to be a world anthem this would have to be it
planetexpress4 1 year ago 3
Only ae poet coulda made sae bonny an sae true ae song
god bless yae auld rabbie
UraharaIsMyGod 1 year ago 5
If Scotland had a national anthem I'm sure this would be it!
walker287 2 years ago 4
@walker287
"If Scotland had a national anthem I'm sure this would be it! "
God it has to be! Please not that jingoistic dirge "Flower of Scotland". When you have this! Are ye's all mad?
These lyrics are sublime & wonderfully irreverent, and the tune is jaunty & catchy as hell! And surely you have to a nod to your Nation's Bard, in your National anthem?
Ditch that dirge and adopt this immediately!
DonegalRaymie201 1 year ago 9
@DonegalRaymie201 scotland will never have a gaelic anthem. a song in scots will do. scotland have failed miserably with flower of scotland. that anthem is abysmal. it gets my vote.
kilomeister 1 year ago
@kilomeister
Well, surely some Sorley MacLean like bard could do a translation into Gaidhlig and then it could be sung in either tongue, like the Welsh "Land of my Fathers/ Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau"?
Whatever you do, get rid of that jingoistic trash "Flower of Scotland", and adopt this immediately! That you sing that funereal rubbish at Murrayfield, when you could/should be singing this is your National Disgrace! Pair Rabbie, would be turning in his grave!
Ditch the Dirge! (That could be ur slogan!)
DonegalRaymie201 1 year ago 4
@walker287 Scotland does have a national anthem- flower of scotland, but it's rubbish compared to this.
SmurfTwilight 1 year ago
Though I'm not Scottish, I get teary-eyed whenever I hear this poem/song. If it were my choice, it would definitely be Scotland's national anthem. The tune is simple, yet it grabs the heart where a more complicated, less memorable melody would fail. And the text speaks for itself.
"A Man's a Man for a' That" holds strong throughout Scottish history: more than Clans, Covenants, and a' that. And while those will fade to history, common dignity is sure to remain as true as it has always been.
JYoung135 2 years ago 9
The masses are in "Awe" for the fancy stories told, whose tellers are poets with double edged sword.
enjoixander 2 years ago
I still think it should be scotlands national anthem
jaldorian 2 years ago 40
Agreed.
JYoung135 2 years ago 6
@jaldorian I wish they had compelled the English to learn it.
jsgehrke 1 year ago
@jaldorian only 7% agree with you
brettsworld99 1 year ago
A song for the dignity and decency of the common man as opposed to the pomp and nonsense of those who would elevate themselves with cash alone. Brilliant.
pilgerman 2 years ago 29
@pilgerman True. And should be oft sung so loud that it drowns the blathering of the arrogant.
ilovebobthecat 1 year ago
Aye.......
Monkfish05 3 years ago 6