Broadcast January 23 2009
The first time I was exposed to Robbie Burns I was in Primary school. Our class were herded into the gym hall with other classes to hear a fellow pupil sing (in pure imitation of Moira Anderson) “My Love is like a Red Red Rose”.
I remember hating it - and not thinking much of Burns as a result. The Scottish contemporary singer Dougie McLean has said that he too disliked Burns songs when he was wee – but he eventually realised what he really disliked was the style in which they were sung and performed.
Many years later I have a much better appreciation of Burns and the importance of his work. And he is one of these figures who tends to be respected, revered and claimed by all kinds of people. Nationalists claim him as Scotland’s most famous poet. Socialists extol his libertarian views. He is the man’s man, the romantic, the visionary, the idealist, and the pride of Ayrshire.
And it could be argued that his work also helped to make a difference to the wider world. His views on the dignity of men and women and his opposition to the slave trade, expressed in poetry and song had a great influence on many people - including President Abraham Lincoln.
Robert Burns was born 250 years ago this coming Sunday, whilst two days ago history was made with the inauguration of Barrack Obama. It is amazing that we have now arrived at the moment when a black man is elected to the White House after so many years of struggle for civil rights and equality.
But this breakthrough in progress (like most advances in humanity) has come about at the end of a long process of change.
Burns was one who helped in that chain of thinking. Though he was often critical of the abuses of the church, he agreed with the Bible that all human beings have dignity and are made to live life to the full. Burns helped to inspire the end of slavery and the dream that all people should be free.
Whatever happens, in 250 years time the world will remember the election of Obama who has inspired so many people of different backgrounds, faiths and colour. Lets hope we can also say of him that he made his mark in making the world better, fairer and more humane.