Translating Burns - Try Your Hand At These Famous Robert Burns Quotes!

This January we celebrate the birth of Robert Burns! He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. Though his work is accessible in many languages, his works are mostly written in old Scot’s dialect. Check out some of these famous Burns’ quotes and see if you can work out the English translations!

"To a Mouse"

Translation: The best laid schemes of mice and men, Go often askew, And leave us nothing but grief and pain, For promised joy!

"A Man’s a Man for a’ that"

Translation: You see that fellow called 'a lord', Who struts, and stares, and all that? Though hundreds worship at his word, He is but a dolt for all that.

"Tam O’Shanter"

Translation: Oh Tam, had you but been so wise, As to have taken your own wife Kate’s advice! She told you well you were a waster, A rambling, blustering, drunken boaster.

"To a Louse"

Translation: Ha! Where are you going, you crawling wonder? Your impudence protects you sorely, I cannot say but you swagger rarely, Over gauze and lace.

"Scots Wha Hae"

Translation: Who will be a traitor knave? Who can fill a coward's grave? Who's so base to be a slave? Let him turn, and flee!

"A Red, Red Rose"

Translation: As fair are you, my lovely lass, So deep in love am I, And I will love you still, my Dear, Till all the seas go dry.

"Auld Lang Syne"

Translation: We two have run about the hillsides, And pulled the wild daisies fine; But we have wandered many a weary foot, Since old long past.

"Address to a Haggis"

Translation: Fair full your honest, jolly face, Great chieftain of the sausage race! Above them all you take your place, Stomach, tripe, or intestines.

"Tam O’Shanter"

Translation: A window seat in the east, There sat the Old Devil, in shape of beast; A shaggy dog, black, grim, and large, To give them music was his charge.

"A Mans a Man for a’ that"

Translation: What though on homely fare we dine, Wear rough grey tweed, and all that? Give fools their silks, and knaves their wine: A man is a man for all that.

Robert Burns has written some of the most widely recognised literature worldwide! On Thursday 25 January we’ll celebrate the birth and life of this national bard with a traditional Burns’ Supper and a ceilidh! There’re not many tickets left so get yours now!

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