Burns night

[McMurdo]

I go to and heck even organize a Burns Supper because of the richness of his work. Burns to me speaks to the best of mankind. Certainly there are poems that are Bawdy but really that is simply part of the human experience, there are however other poems that stir the soul, and really touch the very essence of humanity. A few years ago I went to a Burns Night where my father was giving the Immortal Memory, in it he closed with the following

"I urge you each and everyone in this room to read Burns and before next Burns Night to learn at least one poem, I promise you will be richer for it."

That was the year I learned Tam O'Shanter, while I will not say you should learn Tam, I urge each and every one of you to read Burns and to learn one poem, it will make youe next Burns Night that much more enjoyable.

[McClef]

while I will not say you should learn Tam, I urge each and every one of you to read Burns and to learn one poem, it will make youe next Burns Night that much more enjoyable.

It also means that when you visit Dumfries and sit in Rabbie's chair in the Globe you won't have to buy everyone in the pub a drink!

[Scotus]

I go for two reasons, first and foremost is to honor Burns and his poetry. I have always sung at our Burns Nights. This year I sang _A Man's a Man_. I think people appreciate his songs, or at least that's what I'm told. You can have a "Scottish" dinner any time, but Burns Night should be about Burns. I would even dare say you can honor the man and his works without agreeing with all he writes, as I myself do not hold many of his views.

Secondly, I do enjoy dressing up on my Scottish garb and having dinner with like-minded folks. Again, the first reason is the most important, as you can dress up and have dinner any time.

As for not understanding Burns, your statement about how much you love Shakespeare, in my opinion, shows that you might need to put more effort into Burns. If after that you still don't like him, no one is forcing you.