For Burns Night

[smokingboot]

This was beautiful set to music for the film 'The Wicker Man' but, naughty chaps that they were, they never credited Robert Burns for the lyrics. So here's to you, Rabbie. Some other year I'll speak of old clootie or timorous beasties or the sonsy face of the chieftain o' the puddin' race. Tonight, I'll raise a whisky toast to you, and to lovers everywhere.



It was upon a Lammas night, When corn rigs are bonie,
Beneath the moons' unclouded light,
I held awa to Annie:
The time flew by, wi' tentless heed,
Till tween the late and early;
Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed,
To see me thro' the barley.


Corn rigs, an' barley rigs,
An' corn rigs are bonie:
I'll ne'er forget that happy night,
Amang the rigs wi' Annie.


The sky was blue, the wind was still,
The moon was shining clearly,
I set her down, wi' right good will,
Amang the rigs o' barley:
I ken't her heart was a' my ain;
I lov'd her most sincerely;
I kiss'd her owre and owre again,
Amang the rigs o' barley.


I lock'd her in my fond embrace;
Her heart was beating rarely:
My blessings on that happy place,
Amang the rigs o' barley!
But by the moon and stars so bright,
That shone that hour so clearly!
She ay shall bless that happy night,
Amang the rigs o' barley.


I hae been blythe wi' Comrades dear;
I hae been merry drinking;
I hae been joyfu' gath'rin gear*;
I hae been happy thinking:
But a' the pleasures e'er I saw
Tho' three time doubl'd fairly,
That happy night was worth them a',
Amang the rigs o' barley.


*not, alas, what it sounds like.