Multi-cultural Mix-up: Robbie Burns Day

POST #67
PARODY-LYRICS

ORIGINAL SONG: "That's Amore", Dean Martin, 1953.

PARODY COMPOSED: Giorgio Coniglio, January 2015.

KEYWORDS: goldenoldy, multicultural, tribute, seasonal


Explanatory Notes: Robert Burns, born 1759, became Scotland’s ‘national poet’, and a cultural icon at home and among Scottish diaspora around the world. In his short life - he died at age 37 -  he wrote hundreds of well-loved poems and songs; the most famous is Auld Lang Syne, traditionally sung on Hogmanay. Robbie Burns Day is celebrated on his birthday, January 25. 

Robert Burns 

Burns' famous poems include "To a Mouse", "To a Louse", "Tam o' Shanter", "Parcel o' Rogues", and "Address to a Haggis". 

ROBBIE BURNS DAY

(to the tune of "That's Amore")

INTRO (Tremolo)
In Aberdeen and overseas
Kilt-wearers freeze below the knees.....

When friends honor the haggis and flag of St Andrews - 

That's Burns Day.

First you’re piped to your place, they intone Selkirk’s Grace -

The Saltire, or St Andrews cross

Robbie Burns Day.

Cock-a-leekie soup, cook will boast, address-by-the-host,

Offer toasts to the haggis.

You think, “oops!” – dinner-wasn’t-cheap, eat tatties an neeps *,

Hope to sleep through the speeches.

Poems recite – Mouse-that-gets-a-fright, Louse-that’s-in-plain-sight,

Witches’ night – ‘Tam o’ Shanter’

Greed retold, Scotland’s future sold, England’s bribing-gold,

 ‘Parcel o’ Rogues’  - truth or slander?

With slurred speech you sound Scottish, sipped Scotch ‘til you’re sottish - 

That's Burns Day.

Yes, you’ve downed too much malt, might be mostly your fault -

You feel plough'd.

Finally guests’ vote of thanks, you chant, closing your ranks

Like Hogmanay.

Let the world praise today the auld Bard o’ Alloway -

Robbie Burns Day!

Scots Lexicon

Alloway = village near Glasgow, birthplace of Rob Burns 
cock-a-leekie = chicken and onion soup
haggis = a large sausage, usually made with oatmeal and minced sheep offal
Hogmanay = New Year's Eve
tatties an neeps  = mashed potatoes and turnips


PERFORMING NOTES

Bdim7 = 1212; Bbm = 3111

INTRO (Tremolo)

[Fm] In Aberdeen and over[Bbm]seas

Kilt-wearers [Fm] freeze below the [C7] knees.  [C7!]

[C7] When friends [F] honor the haggis and flag of St Andrews -

[Bdim] That's [C7] Burns Day.

First you’re piped to your place, they intone Selkirk’s Grace -

[Bdim7] Robbie [F] Burns Day.
..........

Finally [Gm7] guests’ vote of thanks, you chant, [Bbm] closing your ranks

Like Hog[F]manay.

[Bdim7] Let the [C7] world praise today the auld Bard o’ Alloway -

Robbie [F] Burns Day     [C7]     
Robbie [F] Burns Day     [C7]  
Robbie [F] Burns Day  [C7]![F]!  

ORIGINAL SONG 
(click on any slide to enlarge and arrive in thumbnail mode for singalongs on your computer or phone!)