Tam's Tall Tales
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face
(Fair and full is your honest, jolly face)
Bachelor's Club, Tarbolton - Graphic by Rosser1954 via Wikimedia Commons.
Great Chieftain o' the Puddin' Race
It is late January as I write this and the papers have had some news about Burn's Nights.
The Bard continues to be celebrated on 25 January with gatherings large and small here and throughout the world.
Dr Kirsteen McCue from Glasgow University has made history as the first female to address the Bachelors Club in Tarbolton, Ayrshire. It might seem strange that a bachelors' club would not welcome ladies with open arms, but since their first Burns Supper in 1970 the club has been men-only. Indeed, even in the 21st century there are many Burns' Suppers that are still men only.
The club itself has a history going back 1780 and the Bard went there to learn Scottish country dancing when he was a lad.
Dr McCue's father was the renowned Scottish singer Bill McCue, a bass who combined performing popular Scottish songs with a career in Scottish Opera. Bill McCue's deep rich tones were heard around the world.
His work included opera, cabaret, television and radio work. He also starred in a theatre production of 'Fiddler on the Roof'.
But he was best known perhaps for his performance of the songs of Robert Burns and other traditional Scottish airs. He died in 1999 at the age of 65.
There is a YouTube video of a Burns Supper including the "Selkirk Grace" and the "Address to a Haggis" at Burns Supper at Mauchlin
Please give me whatever feedback comes to mind via tamfromrampant@gmail.com.
Tam O'Ranter
May 2014Return to Tam O'Ranter Index
