A Virtual Concert for Burns Night

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Scottish singers celebrate Burns

The 25th January every year is celebrated as Burns night. World wide folks gather together to celebrate the birth of Robert Burns, poet and lover, farmer, excise man and - some may not know, protester. His scathing social commentors got him banned from more than one Edinburgh parlour. His song 'A Man's a Man for A That', sung so poignantly at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, bears witness. He died aged only 37 but he packed so much into those years and he had left a legacy that spans the centuries.

Today his music is heard frequently and many famous Scottish singers put their own modern spin to it: from the rousing rendition of 'A man's a man' by Paolo Nutini (nice to see a youngster singing Burns) - to the gravelly voice of Michael Marra. This page is a selection of some of my favourite Burns songs by some of my favourite Scottish singers. Come along with me and enjoy a virtual concert and don't forget to leave a wee music review in the boxes below and vote in the poll for your favourite.

For now this page is full of videos - but I'll be back to add lyrics and more information on Scotland's favourite son.

[NB- note the lyrics can be reproduced here because at well over 200 years old they are well out of copyright - be sure you check before you add any lyrics to your music lenses.]

[Image credit: Portrait of Burns by Alexander Nasmyth dated 1787]

Rabbie Burns

25 January 1759 - 21 July 1796

Paolo Nutini sings Burns

A man's a man for a that

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What do you think of Paulo Nutiti?

Too modern a twist on Burns for you or not?

You can leave a little review on what you think about this Burns song here. The more the merrier. You don't have to be a member of Squidoo to comment, you can log on with your facebook page.
You might not see it immediately as I have to approve it first to weed out spammers.

  • Ron and Naomi Watt Mar 13, 2012 @ 8:10 pm | delete
    My husband and I have just discovered this wonderful musician/singer. Does he sing Ae Fond Kiss? We wish he would come to Australia.
  • TheVegetarian Jan 27, 2012 @ 1:09 am | delete
    I love the upbeat tone of this version, if you are unfamiliar with the song, you can compare it with the more traditional version by Sheena Wellington below. Of course I personally like a voice like his that 'isn't quite true', a bit gravelly. It is also great to see young talent embracing their heritage. Doesn't hurt that he is quite nice eye candy too ;)

Karen Mathison sings Burns

My Love is like a Red Red Rose

Probably the most famous of Burn's love song - the words are as relevant today as they were 200 years ago. If you would like the lyrics translated into English, you will find them -> HERE. It will open an new window so you don't have to stop the song.

My Luve is Like a Red Red Rose

O, my luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
2.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I,
And I will luve thee still, my Dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
3.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun!
O I will luve thee still, my Dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
4.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

Rabbie published this in 1794 - adapted, we think, from older traditional sources.
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Eddi Reader sings Burns

5 videos

If you were asked to name one modern female singer who sings Burns, it would be Eddi Reader. She is lady to go to for all things Burns. She grew up in Irving in Scotland and learned her craft by busking and travelling the world with circuses and performing artists. She hit the London scene and gained a huge reputation providing backing vocals for people like Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics. She reached fame with Fairport Convention before striking out as a solo artist. Her performances are invariable lively and energetic and she holds the audience in the palm of her hand with her wry sense of humour.
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Eddi Reader's Burns

MP3 album

Eddi Reader Sings The Songs Of Robert Burns



Tracks include:
1. Jamie Come Try Me
2. My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose
3. Willie Stewart/Molly Rankin
4. Ae Fond Kiss
5. Brose And Butter
6. Ye Jacobites
7. Wild Mountainside
8. Charlie Is My Darling
9. John Anderson My
10. Winter It Is Past
11. Auld Lang Syne
12. Green Grow The Rashes O'
13. Comin' Thru Through Rye/Dram Behind The Curtain
14. Ye Banks And Braes O'Bonnie Doon
15. Aye Waukin-O
16. Dainty Davie
17. Leezie Lindsay
18. Of A' The Airts

Shenna Wellington sings Burns

A Man's a Man for a that

Sung at the opening of the Scottish parliament in 1999 - the hope of a nation. Even the politicians were singing! Published in 1795 it sings of a hope that we can all live in harmony.
If you would like the lyrics translated into English, you will find them ->  HERE  It will open an new window so you don't have to stop the song. 

A Man's a Man For A That

Is there for honest Poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that;
The coward slave-we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The Man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an' a that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine;
A Man's a Man for a' that:
For a' that, and a' that,
Their tinsel show, an' a' that;
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that;
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that:
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband, star, an' a' that:
The man o' independent mind
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an' a' that;
But an honest man's abon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities an' a' that;
The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,
Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a' that,)
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
That Man to Man, the world o'er,
Shall brothers be for a' that.
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Singing Burns

States side MP3 downloads

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Karen Mathison sings Burns

Lassie Wi' the Lint-White Locks

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Michael Marra sings Burns

Green Grows the Rashes oh

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Music review

how did you like Michael?

Please leave a little review here.
Like always, you won't see it immediately as I have to approve it first to weed out spammers.

  • TheVegetarian Jan 27, 2012 @ 1:13 am | delete
    I confess I am in two minds about Michael Marra, I've never really liked him much but if I had to pick one song of his, this is the one I would pick. His accent is pure Scots and you can imagine this is how the words would have sounded in Burns day. There is no polish here just auld Scots.

Dougie Maclean sings Burns

a compiliation of Burns songs

Ah Dougie - those of you who know me will know I try to attend his 10 day folk festival in Perthshire Autumn -Perthshire Amber
These videos will give you a taste of the man and ends with the most famous of Burns' songs - Auld Lang Syne. If you would like a translation of the lyrics you will find them -> HERE It will open in a new window so you don't need to stop the music.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,
Sin' auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.
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Dougie Maclean's Tribute to Burns

MP3 album

Tribute



tracks available include:

1. Ca' the Yowes
2. Are Ye Sleepin' Maggie?
3. Scots Wha' Hae
4. Neil Gow's Lament
5. Slaves Lament
6. Banks and Braes
7. For a' That
8. Gloomy Winter
9. Rattlin' Roarin' Willie
10. Auld Lang Syne
11. Farewell to Whiskey

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  • josephpowell519 Jan 28, 2012 @ 4:30 am | delete
    Great lens, really interested. I've given your page a like too.
    Feel free to drop by my lenses :)
  • cffutah Jan 23, 2012 @ 9:56 pm | delete
    enjoyed what you put on this article.
  • JoshK47 Jan 21, 2012 @ 10:34 am | delete
    I love the concept and execution - and the music was quite wonderful. Blessed by a SquidAngel!

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About AnnMackieMiller

A Scots lass

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annmackiemiller

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nurse, midwife, historian, therapist, writer, photographer and procrastinator.
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Poems and Songs of Robert Burns

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Life Of Robert Burns

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