Tam O’Shanter by Robert Burns
For Halloween, the classic poem Tam O’Shanter by Robert Burns. It’s in old Scot’s dialect. You can read it, and a plain-English translation here www.robertburns.org.uk Obviously, I did not recite this from memory. Maybe one day. Some of the cadences and pronunciations are wide of the mark. I did this for my own amusement. There are videos of far superior recitals on YouTube, like these…. www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Written by Burns as a tribute to King Robert the Bruce and William Wallace; two of his heroes, and indeed the whole Scottish Nation. This is Bruce’s call to his men before the start of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Set to the tune “Hey Tuttie Tatie” an age old marching tune from medieval times. Sung regularly at Burns Suppers and many other gatherings of Scots across the world. I have tried to give it some dignity here. Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled, Scots, wham Bruce has aften led, Welcome to your gory bed Or to victorie! Now’s the day, and now’s the hour: See the front o’ battle lour, See approach proud Edward’s power – Chains and slaverie! Wha will be a traitor knave? Wha will fill a coward’s grave? Wha sae base as be a slave? – Let him turn, and flee! Wha for Scotland’s King and Law Freedom’s sword will strongly draw, Freeman stand or freeman fa’, Let him follow me! By oppression’s woes and pains, By your sons in servile chains, We will drain our dearest veins But they shall be free! Lay the proud usurpers low! Tyrants fall in every foe! Liberty’s in every blow! Let us do or dee! This is NOT the punk version which you will find elsewhere…..
Items Of Interest:
Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based Practice, 5e
Learn how to evaluate and apply research with the #1 nursing research book! Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based Practice is … Read More >
Ken Burns: ProhibitionPROHIBITION, directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, tells the story of the rise, rule and fall of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The fi… Read More >
Related posts:
Good job, but my father does it better. I’m an American and I grew up listening to this poem, so I know what I’m talking about. Good job, but my father’s the best.
i closed my eyes and just listened. you took me to another place and time…THANKS FOR THE TRIP!!!!! I love all things scottish. maybe u could help me- i’ve been lookin for a site that i could HEAR “anything” in GAELIC with written english translation. really enjoyed the time travel. peace
give ity up big man x
Thanks for this wonderful recital, it brings back some wonderful memories of my late Dad who loved to recite Robert Burns before and after a few wee drams, every Hogmanay and other times when I think of him I sit down with his book of Burn’s poems and recite one or two of his poems no matter where I am in both Dad’s and Robert Burn’s memory, Big Rabbie, Australia.
KRATOS!!!
nice work!
@littlemisstypesalot what happens is a drunk is trying to get home but he has to go past a abandonded church, when he gets there he see a party of witchs and wizards and the Devil (“Auld Nick”). He watches a young witch dancing in a short under dress ( a “cutty sark”) and calls out praise for her. All the witchses andwizards see him and chase after him and the young witch grabs his horse’s tail and tears it off as he crosses a stream, as witches can’t cross running water.
bless you, my good man! I have enjoyed this immensely. love the poem, love the accent! In fact, I must say that for a foreigner this is much easier understood when presented orally. cheers!
I love this. Love it!
well done – but I challenge you to put as much into a Psalm of your choosin – a different theme
alloways old haunted kirk – I fear it! …gon yersel
It starts sounding like a foreign language for a while. I didn’t even try to understand the poem, I’m just enjoying the sounds. =)
not bad. not bad at all!
Hello:)
its well done…but I’ll do better…watch this space
Well done. A whole lot easier than reading it myself!
lol great , this will help me with my burns progect
I love listening to this poem, and you spoke it so well!
“go scotland woo” is rite.
so f**kin’ sexy…
but to stay on topic, i’m gonna go w/ the other kid and say 5 of 5 open pussy’s mortal foes.
Thanks Mark, that really stirs the heart. Didn’t know it was so moving. Recon I’ll pop in to Burn’s birthplace museum next time I’m up there.
go SCOTLAND WOOOOOO
Hey Mark…my sister and I would like a copy of you reading the patriot act! Maybe then it won’t sound like a gross betratal of our rights as Americans.
That was all kinds of awesome. I could listen to you all day. I know I’ll be back to hear this again and again. Thanks, Mark!
As a player in a werewolf the apocalypse game, this is SO going in my favorites to be shown to my Fianna friends.
FAN SHITEN’ TASTIC!
Way to represent, Mark! I love Tam O’Shanter.
@Morgteck
my pleasure…enjoy!
Absolutely wonderful! I am half scottish blood…Canadian…and I love to play this song. I do it very much in ths same style you do, only I can’t pick the guitar quite so prettily as that. Your picking style is perfect for this song, and you communicate the passion of it right well. Thanks for this great video!
@rodrigocmz
thnx my friend
slainté
Man, thanks for sharing this. Truly wonderful and inspiring!
Best wishes!
@standrewsnation
thnx my friend ;o)
Beautiful rendition.
We forget this, we die.
@NoriokoTheMagicSkunk
thnx my friend……I’d be happy to do that too ;o)
Different class mate.
I’d have you belt that out at Hampden as our national anthem if it was up to me.
@onemistressshort
thnx my friend….enjoy
brilliant rendition of a song that makes me proud to be scottish.
Respect to Thomas Muir of Huntershill ( to those not in the know, he’s Willam Wallace in this according to Robert Burns)
@habanaman
thnx my friend ;o)
They just don’t write songs as good as that anymore, (sniff)
lang may they live on.
Excellent, great voice, mon.
this song actually has good meaning behind it. and tells of a history, and has much pride it should be our Anthem.
Scots Wha Hae should be our anthem. Flower of Scotland doesn’t compare.
@priceypiper
Thanks Jock…and keep on piping ;o)
It just doesn’ get any better than this Kev. Roll on the Bowhill Peoples Burns Supper.Jock.
@Traitorfish
thnx my friend
slainté
Brilliant version of the song. The blend of solemnity and defiance in the tone is perfect.
@joelhowells
Praise indeed! thnx my friend ;o)
I honestly didn’t think I’d hear the Corries’ version bettered.
Thanks for sharing, mate.
I honestly didn’t think I’d hear the Corries’ version bettered.
Thanks for sharing, mate.
@jessechene
my pleasure ;o)