In November of 2010, I met a 2nd
cousin,1x removed, who told me that our Great-great grandmother Mary
Burns (McPherson) was a cousin of Scotland''s bard, Robert Burns. She
reverently unwrapped a small book, more like a pamphlet, to share with me. The
little book had been in her family since the time of her
grandparents, and probably belonged to our great-great-grandmother, Mary Burns McPherson. The
occasion for this small book was the Centennial celebration of his birthday which was
held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In 1859, world wide, Scots gathered for Burns night to celebrate the Centennial of Burns' birthday. Throughout Scotland, in Australia, the United States, the British Empire, Scots gathered to share a Burns dinner of Haggis, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes) and recite a few lines from the ploughman bards poems and close with singing Auld Lang Syne. The Scots of Scotch Lane
in the village of Springdale, Wisconsin, where my great great grandparents lived, were no different and took Rabbie Burns to their Highland heart.
Since that November day in 2010, I have poked and prodded my computer, a
lookin' for connections in the heather that might span time and ocean
and prove that this Scots heart of mine beats in family tune with that
of our Rabbie Burns. No much luck has come my way, but still I search --- and in the coming days, I'll share with my McPherson family what few gems that I have picked up over the years.
And, now be we off to celebrate Burns night.
"Cuzin” Rabbie
t'is a new year 'n month of January
the time mi thoughts turn to Rabbie
y'know, mi bard, young Rabbie Burns
castin' sweet looks 'n words on a lassie
nights still long n' by flickering l'ght
a book of Rabbie's poems I hold
more close to mi heart as I am told
Rabbie's a cousin - tho generations b'ck
hi' words beck'n t'mi many a year
“wee sleekit, cowerin,' timorous beastie”
“O my luve is like a red, red rose”
long been music to m' ear
tonight, I be cuzin-like
wear'n mi plaid, 'n drink'n a pint
wi' all list'n to yer words
dream'n of heather 'n thistle down
JGH
~ ~ ~
© Joan G. Hill, Roots'n'Leaves Publications
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