after our host, the Robert Burns scholar and The Balvenie Distillery ambassador Andrew Weir (below left) declaimed Burns' "Address to a Haggis":
What I do remember is this: The outside temp was in the single digits but all was warm and glowing inside as a boisterous crowd gathered at Mary Queen of Scots restaurant to celebrate Robert Burns' birthday. Mr. Weir regaled us with tales of the great poet, punctuated by recitations of poetry and Local Hero's renditions of traditional music. We dined on modern interpretations of traditional Scottish fare. Each course was accompanied by a generous pour of The Balvenie aged whisky:
I was most taken by the beguiling Balvenie Peated Cask 17-year whisky so I coaxed our server to refill my glass. And. I. do. not. regret. having. done. that.
As the dessert plates were cleared, Weir led us in a few toasts. We toasted Burns! The men toasted the lasses! ( "The sweetest hours that e'er I spend, Are spent among the lasses, O.") We toasted all of the people o'er the world who were eating haggis and drinking whisky just as we were! We joined hands and Weir led us in song! Guess which song? The second most popular song in the world. "That's the most sober I've ever been when I've sung that song," said my new BFF Mike, standing nearby. Here 'tis. C'mon, it's Burns' birthday for a few more hours. Don't pretend you don't want to sing along:
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne!
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
-- Stacey Harwood
