Jan 22, 2012

Magpie Tales#101

Tess at Willow Manor offers us a prompt which at first sight is problematic/enigmatic, but in fact is quite easy to decode.

IT'S BURNS NIGHT! (*)

Scots cannae hear a fiddle band
without they tap their feet.
And when the 25th(*) comes round
the lassies feel the heat.
And so before they take the floor
we strap them to a sheep!

The "Bees of Maggieknockater"
is not their first choice dance
and "Dashing Sergeants" (black or white)
do not lead to romance.


They listen to the jigs and reels,
while waiting "Strip the Willow"
The big black bandage keeps them still,
the fleece a pleasant pillow.


The hoolie starts!  We cut them free!
They join in with high zest.
(Do they do this in Fochabers
or stuck-up Inverness?)


And old John Knox turns in his grave
at this eye-popping Burns Night rave.


(*) 25th. January. Burns Night is celebrated by Scots, both domiciled and ex-pat. They foregather to feast on haggis and mashed neeps (golden turnips), and whisky.  The Haggis is piped-in, welcomed and addressed.  The poetry of the iconic Rabbie Burns is recited. Bagpipes are played. "Ae Fond Kiss", "My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose" are sung, at which point tears may flow as the whisky takes hold. There is often dancing. These guys have dispensed with the traditional kilts and tartan skirts for Auld Lang Syne, or other reasons I leave you to guess at. 

Worthier Magpies on display at Willow Manor.
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29 comments:

  1. FrikoJanuary 22, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    Jigs and reels are quite lively, I'd be worried about bodily appendages coming to harm in the scrum.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    I love your take on this weeks prompt and what a splendid photo of the Not-So-Trad Burns Night. Everyone there looks to be having a great time.

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  3. JinksyJanuary 22, 2012 at 9:42 PM

    And which one is you, Doc? :)

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  4. ScarletJanuary 22, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    I like jigs and reels of your words...looks like fun ~

    http://a-sweetlust.blogspot.com/2012/01/sevenling-woman.html

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  5. MaggieJanuary 23, 2012 at 12:13 AM

    Oh, to be in Scotland now. LOL. Wonderful.

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  6. Tess KincaidJanuary 23, 2012 at 2:50 AM

    Oh did I ever need this laugh tonight...

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  7. Brian MillerJanuary 23, 2012 at 5:13 AM

    ha...is there a way to become a born again scotsman...smiles...sound like a rather fun jig...smiles.

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  8. J Cosmo NewberyJanuary 23, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    I'd prefer the whiskey were piped in.

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  9. Yvonne OsborneJanuary 23, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    Jolly fun! I can do all of that except the haggis...choke.

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  10. LolamouseJanuary 23, 2012 at 6:44 PM

    I'd rather write a poem to a haggis than eat it, I suppose! "Neeps and tatties" just sound like sexual euphemisms, but perhaps that's just my warped mind!

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  11. Other MaryJanuary 23, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    I think that would put a smile on old Bobby's face.

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  12. Doctor FTSEJanuary 23, 2012 at 7:38 PM

    I know what commentators mean. There are some truly dreadful haggises, not worthy of the name . . but the best, from small 'craft' makers, are really excellent. And that's a mere Englishman's judgement!

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  13. BerowneJanuary 23, 2012 at 7:40 PM

    Sounds like "Dancing the Lancers" with real lances. :-)

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  14. ClaudiaJanuary 23, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    haha..i always say the scots know how to celebrate...smiles
    love your funny take on the prompt..who would've expected that you end up in scotland with the japanese lady...smiles

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  15. Susie ClevengerJanuary 23, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    I agree with Claudia...your travels took you from Japan to Scotland..a wonderful lusty response to the prompt

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  16. ChristineJanuary 23, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    So lovely to see somthing other than Bento Boxes and the like. After all how does one keep those young ladies - and lads under control until the finale?

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  17. Doctor FTSEJanuary 23, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Why has nobody mentioned the sporran? I mean, it's a very considerable sporran even though we are told that size doesn't matter.

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  18. HelenJanuary 23, 2012 at 10:04 PM

    The size of the sporran always matters, Doctor! I'll take the high road .. then the low road home. Walking best after all that dancing and whiskey.

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  19. Kat MortensenJanuary 23, 2012 at 10:10 PM

    Love this! If it weren't for the haggis, I'd want to be there. What the heck! Pour me a Glenmorangie and everything will be all right. (I nearly choked on the "strap them to a sheep" line.)

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  20. TrellissimoJanuary 23, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    Sporran? I though it was a billycan...:)

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  21. LynJanuary 24, 2012 at 12:44 AM

    And a fine time was had by all..even strapped to a sheep!! Two more days, huh?

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    Replies
    1. izzyJanuary 24, 2012 at 3:05 AM

      and strapped them to a sheep! how right you are!!
      great, thanks.

      Delete
  22. chiccorealJanuary 24, 2012 at 4:00 AM

    Dear Dr. FTSE: "we strap them to sheep" got me reeling! And the musical is quite lively! Quite an art form strapped to strapping sheep dance! Baaahhhhaaahaaa~!

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  23. Tumblewords:January 24, 2012 at 4:23 AM

    Strapped, scalped and strewn. What a time it was...:)

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  24. relJanuary 24, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    given the prompt I think Robbie could do no better!
    delightful
    rel

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  25. LydiaJanuary 24, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    I just love coming over here. It's always a party of one sort or another. "strap them to a sheep".....so "The big black bandage keeps them still" Come on! You're killing me!

    You also brought back a great memory from my past that happened right here in the U.S. of A. on Burn's birthday. A pub in town was owned by a Scotsman, who donned kilts and read Burns' poetry while we drank and swooned away to a distant land and time...

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  26. Lucy WestenraJanuary 24, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    Didn't Rabbie Burns say something like "Would the Lord the giftie gie us to see oorsels as ithers see us." Now I see what he was getting at. Top flight Mag, though.

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  27. Maude LynnJanuary 24, 2012 at 5:07 PM

    This is a hoot!

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  28. HelenaJanuary 25, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Bless yer wee thumpy yin!! For a wonderful read and acknowledging Burns. As a Scottish bint myself, it's nice to know the tradition carries on world-wide!

    You get my other **Hey! Hey! this week.....and a big thank you for spelling 'whisky' properly!

    **see 'about me' section on my profile/sidebar.....!

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