Robert Burns 'The Address to the Haggis' Explained

Ready for Burns Night?
The high point of any Burns Supper is, of course, the Address to the Haggis. However, many people do not know what the poem, written in Broad Scots, means. Here's our brief synopsis and translation.
Many many thanks to Christopher Tait for allowing the use of his recitation.
Check out Robert Burns Live here:
robertburns.live/
Read the Address with a decent English translation here:
www.maybole.org/notables/Burns...
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[@charlesperez9976]

My favorite line in this magnificent poem is the “like amber bead…” It makes my mouth water,every time I hear it.

[@lexm9416]

Please be advised that Robert never was, and never is, known as ‘The Immortal Memory’. The Immortal Memory is a speech, indeed the main speech, given during the Burns Supper. It celebrates the Man, his life and his works, drawing almost always on his humanity, wit and distaste for the ‘unco guid’ - in essence those who felt that they were better than the common population. In addition, Robert died on 21 July 1796, not 21 January. As in most societies, offal was eaten as necessity by the poorer classes, with Haggis simply being Scotland’s version. In Scotland, Haggis is still universally made from the original menu, although vegetarian versions are also commonly available. I hope you don’t mind these comments, but I guess you’d like to have accurate information. We Scots love the fact that Burns is so universally appreciated and this is merely intended to assist in your understanding and therefore enjoyment.

[@Beardychiel]

I could not have put it better. Well said.

[@lexm9416]

@@kensho123456 Only the pedants ;0)

[@jenniferpeers6946]

Would be more believable had it come from a Scot and not an American.

[@donm6820]

When we presented our case to the Lyon Court for formal recognition, we did it at Abbotsford House and that evening we had a formal dinner-Christopher Tait was there at our dinner! He did the Address to the Haggis, To a Mouse, Tam O'Shanter and John Barleycorn!!! It was an awesome presentation.

[@petterivenetjoki1608]

We had a Haggis this weekend. We made it by ourselves. We used only organs like heart, kidneys and liver. It was really tasty and rich. Problem in here is that the law abandons the use of lamb stomach.

[@karlheeren8727]

Thank you! While I have heard this address numerous times I have not always understood all the language. You have solved the mystery

[@Crash64100]

Great video! Just attended a Burns supper last night. Very much enjoyed the address to the haggis! The address was given with great gusto. Was a fantastic evening all round. Though as we walked out to leave it was a bit chilly in the kilt!!

[@MacMcCaskill]

A very interesting & entertaining explanation of The Address, the Haggis and Burns Suppers. The split screen is very effective, and the inter-cutting of The Address with the translation works well. As a Scot whose party-piece is The Address, I enjoyed this very much.

[@jackhargreaves1911]

My heart sank when you said ‘Scotch’ (it’s a drink!) but everything thereafter was the best explanation of the man, the food and the night I have ever heard (and I’m a native). Thank you for that. Tonight I will give the address for friends and family. More than fifty years after doing my first Burns poetry recital at school… (great kilt and waistcoats btw)

[@rossmax767]

People were referred to as Scotch in the past. The Scotch Irish who emigrated for instance. It’s only in more recent times that scotch is now referred to whisky only.

[@justinclark6053]

Another awesome and educational video. Thank you so much for keeping our heritage alive!!!

[@isaak.studio]

Happy Burns Night!

[@andrewfraser1659]

Thank you so much. Terrific! I do the Address in Norwich Connecticut ea year and I still learned something from you !! ❤️

[@sdrawkcabsiemanym]

Thank you for covering our traditions & explaining them well 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🫶

[@oliverstuart]

Interesting video, but just a slight correction. Yorkshire pudding isn't boiled meat, it's a batter of eggs, flour and milk poured into screaming hot fat in kind of muffin trays and put in the oven. If you haven't tried one yet, please hurry because you haven't really started living until you have.

[@guysabol8743]

Love Robt Burns and this is fantastic !

[@richiethemage2646]

Booked a table for burns night. Awesome well produced video guys. Burns lived near me in walker Newcastle upon Tyne for several years as a customs officer. They have a statue of him in walker park. Learned loads from this video. Thanks. Scottish guy is incredible.

[@MrMASSEYJONES]

Thank for sharing. I am about to photograph a Robert Burns supper and now have some background about how and why it runs as it does.

[@twwtb]

Very nicely done. Mr. Tait is a blast too. You are now a professor of Scottish culture at the University of KZbin!

[@wattiewatt]

Robert Burns isn't the immortal memory. That would be the toast to the memory of Burns.

[@michaelstenger5411]

Well, another year is here…hosting my first Burn’s supper thank you

[@donlee7028]

Best explanation ever!

[@patbrennan5234]

Very well out together :) An excellent resource for those keen to understand in some detail what's behind the words.🙂

[@dougieyoung6536]

Fantastic video and very well explained👍👏👏👏👏😃😃

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Very well done.

[@hgbarmann]

We had to memories Tam O Shanter for an English Grade .... after 50 yrs I still remember parts

[@LesliePiper]

Pity I canna give you a SECOND LIKE Brilliant Explanation.

[@KATLABELLE1]

Bravo and Thank you ! Slainte !

[@scotstreetstyle8711]

Excellent work guys, Slainte Mhath!

[@chugwaterjack4458]

Eric, your commentary was great. For a real laugh, turn ON the KZbin closed captioning. First stanza, "gaminess" came out as "gay meanness" as an example. And, of course, the Scots accent and pronunciation absolutely baffles the CC translator algorithm.

[@LesliePiper]

Slainte, well explained, thanks

[@GeraldFranks]

Typo on the graphic. Supper is spelled with two p's instead of Super like SuperMan.

[@kanesmith2855]

I think the pudding he's referring to is white, black, fruit and scotch dumpling, a staple in Scotland, and red pudding if your in chip shops in Inverness

[@iloveejbgssnoopy]

Wonderful educational and insightful videos I love this poem

[@willneverforgets3341]

St Andrews is only started to be celebrated recently... Good video!!!! Haggis is nice! People should think of it as sausage...

[@henrikhjortshj6671]

I love HAGGIS!!!!! Very nice video. Thanks a lot..... a shame the sound of the actors speak.... 99€ mic would help....

[@smacwhinnie]

Tripe and offal are the guts and organs

[@LaDivinaLover]

And Burns was kinda hot. I support this dinner. :P

[@Time_Lord_Council]

Scottish superhero? It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Scots Man!

[@douglashopping8267]

Aye u have reason ma loon

[@julie.T.]

He lived here in Newcastle upon Tyne for several years. There is a statue of him in the park.

[@alistairbain6149]

Time immemorial.

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

And no refrigeration, so organ meats needed to be used quickly!

[@vapjrk]

RABBIE not Robert

[@Trav_Can]

It's funny that you are downplaying all the sexual innuendo. The whole poem is erotic metaphor. Quite radical and randy for the time. It's about the virility Scottish men.

[@kanesmith2855]

It's funny how people in America take burns night more seriously than Scots haha

[@Fummy007]

We take it seriously in England too. us of Scots heritage.

[@Fuckpig2505]

And amazing how many folk don’t have a clue about what it really is.

[@ivandinsmore6217]

The person who recited the poem is not very good at it. He is very amateur. If you want a proper recitation of this poem, listen to Bill McCue or Andy Stewart

[@SshadykK]

this man makes me cringe

[@killingtramps]

Burns makes you cringe?

[@darraghgettings7155]

boooooo