Celebrating Robert Burns’ 253rd Birthday

10 p.m. to Midnight Host: Steve Winters

This annual show marks the 253rd anniversary of the birth on Jan. 25, 1759 of Scottish poet and song collector Robert Burns in Alloway in Ayrshire, Scotland. Known internationally as “Caledonia’s Bard” because of his literary prowess as a poet, Burns’ contributions to Scottish and, indeed, all folk music were just as immense. Scottish musicologist Francis Collinson puts it best when he describes Burns as “the greatest compiler, restorer and editor of all” and the man “who changed the whole face of Scottish music.”

This year’s show touched on Burns as humanitarian, political activist and poet, but, most important, centered on several women in his life and the exquisite songs and poems he wrote for them, including Jean Armour, his supreme love. After all, we cannot underestimate Burns as a lover: He fathered 15 children, 9 of whom were actually born in lawful wedlock!

  • Artist, "Title", Album, Label

  • Jack Evans et al, “My Heart’s In The Highlands/Mist-Covered Mountains”, A Highland Journey, Greentrax

  • Battlefield Band, “Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin”, Stand Easy & Preview, Temple

  • James Malcolm, “Caledonia”, Robert Burns: The Complete Songs/Vol. 5, Linn

  • Dougie MacLean, “Scots Wha Hae”, Tribute, Dunkeld

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  • Battlefield Band, “Tune Medley which includes The Dark Boy Mr. Darling”, Dookin’, Temple

  • Tannahill Weavers, “Up In The Mornin’ No’ For Me”, Arnish Light, Green Linnet

  • Jock Tamson’s Bairns, “Brave Lewie Roy/Wantoness”, The Sampler, Temple

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  • Bruce Davies, “Green Grow The Rashes O”, O’Er The Border, Rothes Recordings

  • Battlefield Band, “Song Composed In August (Now Westlin’ Winds)”, Line-Up, Temple

  • Alan Reid, “Mary Morison”, The Sunlit Eye, Temple

  • Ceolbeg, “Of A’ The Airts”, Celtic Collections/Vol. 2, Greentrax

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  • MacAlias, “The Gowden Locks Of Anna”, Highwired, Greentrax

  • Blackeyed Biddy, “Ae Fond Kiss”, Celtic Collections/Vol. 2, Greentrax

  • Ceolbeg, “Oh Were I On Parnassus Hill”, Cairn Waters, Greentrax

  • Battlefield Band, “Oh My Love’s Like A Red Red Rose”, Dookin’, Temple

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  • Old Blind Dogs, “Is There For Honest Poverty”, Fit?, Green Linnet

  • Rod Paterson, “Parcel Of Rogues In A Nation”, The King Has Landed, Greentrax

  • Dougie MacLean, “Auld Lang Syne”, Tribute, Dunkeld

  • Alasdair Fraser/Natalie Haas/Muriel Johnstone, “Goodnight And Joy Be W’ Ye A’”, "Legacy Of The Scottish Fiddle/Vol. 2,Culburnie