Belated Burns Business: a toast to the lassies
January 29, 2008
As I mentioned in my post on Rabbie Burns day, it’s common to hold Suppers to honor the occasion (I enjoyed my first of these last Friday!). The evening is somewhat structured, traditionally, and you can read about all that’s involved here.
At the supper I went to I was graciously asked to provide the Toast to the Lassies, which is supposed to be a “humorous but not offensive” take on the ladies present that is ultimately complimentary.
I like to do toasts and things of this nature in verse, and fortunately I was able to put something together earlier that evening. The structure and grammar is meant to invoke Burns own poetry, though anything I write winds up having shades of Spenser peaking through.
Anyway, here’s the toast:
Toast to the Lassies at the Burns Supper of 2008 *
Fair lassies wi’ us in this place
O’ lilied hand an’ rosied face
We count your presence now a grace
For all yer troubleFor sure ya prat an’ sure ya prattle
Sure I ha’ fought ye many’s th’ battle
I know again I’ll hear yer rattle
But leave tha’ beAn’ sure in all ya gi’ us fits
An’ lead us roun’ like we ha’ bits
But true ‘s no just where y’ wists
But where needs goin’Sae lassies, here’s yer health again
Tae Beth’s, tae Mary’s an’ tae Jean’s
Wi’out ye we would lie our lane
An’ lie in sorrow
—–
lie our lane: lie alone
Note: The names in the last stanza reference Burns’ lovers.
*Truth be told I gave a slightly bawdier version of the toast at the supper than I thought would be prudent to post here.
