Burns Night is celebrated each January 25 all around the world to mark the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns. A farmer’s boy with a fondness for drink and the ladies, Burns is loved for his humanity and passion for liberty and is a cultural icon in Scotland and for those of Scottish heritage. In fact, this anniversary is more widely observed in Scotland than the official national day, St. Andrew’s Day.
Lake Chapala will honor “The Bard” with its own Burns Supper on Friday, January 25, 5 p.m. at Salon Eucaliptos at Hotel Real de Chapala.
Of course, “Auld lang syne,” the poem penned by Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional Scottish folk song, is traditionally sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight. Most commonly, only the first verse and the chorus are sung. For those who might have forgotten the words, here’s a reminder.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup
and surely I’ll buy mine
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.