Do Ye Ken the Bard of Scotland?

OTTAWA—In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns on January 25, a tribute night to the bard, born in 1759, was presented at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage on Saturday.

In a room peppered with plaid scarves, ties, shawls, and kilts, Bobby Watt of Écosse opened the set with Robert the Bruce’s (Robert 1 King of Scotland) “Address to the Troops,” as written by Burns.

Between songs, and in a strong Scottish brogue, Watt did his best to inform the audience about the life and character of Robbie Burns. Although we learned that many of the poet’s songs had a second “norty” (bawdy) version, none of them were sung that night as CBC Radio 2 was taping the show as part of its “Canada Live” series. The show will be aired at 8 p.m. on January 24.

With ample talent from violinist/bassist James Stephens, Watt went on to sing a selection of songs penned by Burns along with songs from Burns’ extensive collection.

A humourist, patriot poet, political commentator, and humanist, Burns collected 350 folksongs along with Scottish folklore to preserve the Gaelic vitality and culture that the British government was endeavouring to eradicate.

For one song, percussionist Rob Graves played two kinds of hand drums at the same time, accompanied by Duncan Gillis on the “small pipes” (bagpipes that are smaller and quieter than the Great Highland Pipes). In keeping with the authenticity of the evening, several times during the show, Gillis played a hand made hornblower, one of four that he designed and put together, as the instrument has not been available for hundreds of years.

Watt was at his best when singing the more sensitive ballads. One of the highlights was when he started reciting a poem written by Burns when he was just 16, and then finished the verse by singing a cappella.

Traditionally, Burns nights are participatory and include addressing the haggis, drinking Scotch whisky, and reciting works by and about Burns. This evening was no exception as the haggis (traditional Scottish food made of mutton, oatmeal, onion, and offal that is wrapped in a sheep’s stomach and boiled) was duly “piped in,” and Hugh Hearn recited Burns’ “Address of the Haggis,” after which whiskey was swigged down with a grimace.

This was followed by “King o’ Men” a three-act play written and performed by actor and playwright John Hardie. It tells the story of one man’s reaction to the news of Burns’ death at age 37, while he proceeds to educate an Englishman who wants to write a book about Burns, because “ye need to ken (understand) the Scots tongue” to know what Robbie Burns was about. Hardie wrote the play after being asked by Watt to participate in the Burns tribute. If you can’t catch the play live, it can be seen on youtube.

Bobby Watt and the rest of Écosse will present the same show on January 25 at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, Quebec.



An Honest Man’s the Noblest Work of God

Here’s freedom to him who would speak.

Here’s freedom to him who would write.

For there’s none ever feared

that the truth should be heard.

Save he who the truth would indict.

—Robert Burns