Gather
The celebrants gather and mingle, participate in a wee bit of Scottish Country
Dancing, catch up on gossip, pore through their Burns editions, and peruse the
whisky selection. The chairman or host may make some introductions among the
guests, assign some readings, or deliver a few opening remarks.
Meal - Welcome Grace
The celebrants are called to the table, the host offers an opening grace -
traditionally The Selkirk Grace - and the soup course is served.
Parade of the Haggis
The evening's highest bit of pomp. The chef, carrying in the haggis, follows the
piper - playing Brose & Butter, or some other appropriate tune - in a more or
less dignified procession through the hall. The chef lays the haggis, on it's
groaning trencher, before the chairman at the high table.
Address to the Haggis
A previously designated reciter reads this poem over the haggis. A guid whisky
gill is offered to the piper, chef and reciter, and with alacrity, the haggis is
sliced open with the finely honed edge of a ceremonial dirk.
The meal is then served with all its composite courses and copious helpings of
guid ale and whisky.
Songs, Music & Readings
Now, in loose order, deftly orchestrated by the chairman, follow the other
poems, toasts, songs and addresses of the evening. Celebrants who have arrived
with selections to read take their turn entertaining the others. (It always
helps if the chairman has some readings selected for guests who have arrived
unprepared or who may need a little encouragement.)
Toast To The Lassies
A traditional Burns Night ritual, this toast should be a light-hearted lampoon
of the lassies' (few) shortcomings. Illustrations from Burns, or from first hand
knowledge of the subject, may be used.
Reply From The Lassies
Always delivered with grace, charm and wit, this savaging of the lads' crude
dispositions and social inferiority is always accepted with good humor by the
menfolk present.
Toast to ?
No Burns Night is complete without toast requests from the audience.
Songs & Poems
The chairman may play it by ear and keep the readings going as long as the
guests are willing and attentive. Alternatively, the evening may evolve into a
bacchanal of music, song and dancing. Either are acceptable.
Closing Remarks From The Chairman
When an end to the festivities has finally arrived the chairman should thank the
guests for their attendance, good cheer and high spirits. A few reciprocal
remarks, or a toast, may be made by one of the celebrants and a vote of thanks
offered to the host, chairman, chef, piper, etc.
Auld Lang Syne
The traditional end to any Burns Night - indeed, an appropriate end to any
evening spent among the company of friends - is the singing of this sentimental
Scottish song. It always helps to have the correct lyrics printed out for the,
by now, groggily satisfied celebrants.
Contact Information
For more information about Los Cantantes del Lago and our upcoming concert
season, send email to
cantantesdellago@gmail.com.
Copyright © 2006-2008 Los Cantantes del Lago
Last modified:
January 05, 2009
