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Answer:
The Burns Night Supper is the opportunity to celebrate the the bit of Scots blood in all of us. It allows us to revel in proper music, food and the company of past an future friends. It usually runs like this:
Some hae meat and canna eat,
and some wad eat that want it,
but we hae meat and we can eat,
and sae the Lord be thankit.
- At the appointed hour men and women gather for a period of meeting and greeting. Men who can wear kilts and tartans appropriate to their family or military traditions, others wear business suits or sports jackets. Women dress in tartans according to their family ties or in decent evening dresses.
- At the start of the meal the master of ceremonies calls on ll; to take their places. Speeches and introductions are done at the head table.
- The Selkirk Grace is said:
and some wad eat that want it,
but we hae meat and we can eat,
and sae the Lord be thankit.
- The haggis is piped in
- The haggis is addressed with Burns' "Address to the Haggis"
- Entertainment (pipes, singing and other) while the meal of tatties, neeps and haggis and beef is distributed
- All eat
- Entertainment while the main course plates are removed. More speeches, jokes and recollections
- Dessert
- An evening of dancing and socializing follows
Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish culture for about 200 years as a means of commemorating our best loved bard. And when Burns immortalised haggis in verse he created a central link that is maintained to this day. | ||
| The ritual was started by close friends of Burns a few years after his death in 1796 as a tribute to his memory. The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since that time and begins when the chairman invites the company to receive the haggis. http://kiltmakers.co.uk/products/scottish-gifts_napkins/robert-burns-napkins-+--pack-of-20#images | ||
| THE FORMAT FOR A BURNS SUPPER | ||
Chairperson's opening address A few welcoming words start the evening and the meal commences with the Selkirk Grace The company are asked to stand to receive the haggis. A piper then leads the chef, carrying the haggis to the top table, while the guests accompany them with a slow handclap. The chairman or invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem To A Haggis, with great enthusiasm. When he reaches the line 'an cut you up wi' ready slight', he cuts open the haggis with a sharp knife. It's customary for the company to applaud the speaker then stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whisky. The company will then dine. A typical Bill o' Fare would be: Cock-a-leekie soup * Haggis warm reeking, rich wi' Champit Tatties, Bashed Neeps * Tyspy Laird (sherry trifle) * A Tassie o' Coffee The Immortal Memory One of the central features of the evening. An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on Burns. There are many different types of Immortal Memory speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same - to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today. Toast To The Lasses The main speech is followed by a more light-hearted address to the women in the audience. Originally this was a thank you to the ladies for preparing the food and a time to toast the 'lasses' in Burns' life. The tone should be witty, but never offensive, and should always end on a concilliatory note. Response The turn of the lasses to detail men's foibles. Again, should be humorous but not insulting. Poem and Songs Once the speeches are complete the evening continues with songs and poems. These should be a good variety to fully show the different moods of Burns muse. Favourites for recitations are Tam O' Shanter, Address to the Unco Guid, To A Mouse and Holy Willie's Prayer. The evening will culminate with the company standing, linking hands and singing Auld Lang Syne to conclude the programme | ||
First answer by Woodwose.
Last edit by Ursularose.
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