Burns Supper 2008

On January 25th, about half past eleven, a group of youngsters went creeping up to the top floor of the Lord Jim Pub for a quiet kiss and a cuddle.   They just stood there, mesmerized, at the top of the stairs, their eyes popping out, at the sight of the demented figure of Tam O´Shanter fleeing from a horde of demons very much resembling Tony Blair, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, George Bush, Yasser Arafat, Saddam Hussein, Ronaldinho Gaucho(demon to some, hero to others) David Seaman (remember him? England´s hapless goalie) and Gordon Brown. All this before an audience of bare kneed gringos, shrieking with laughter and the whole place reeking of haggis and whisky.
It was a scene straight out of Dante ´s inferno. That night the top floor of the Lord Jim Pub was whisked back into the middle of the 18th century, smelly bogs and all! Many thanks to the brave British buccaneers, WXXXXX and GXXXX who ferreted their way through the international blockade to deliver the prohibited haggis to us. (Their full names can´t be published here for fear of retribution.)
For those who have been sidetracked by all the media hysteria over the American elections, remember there are still several wars on the go on several many fronts, not the least of them being the long drawn out War on Haggis, whose ratings on Fox News have recently shrunk, unfortunately, in direct proportion to the size of the US budget.
Let ´s hope that by the time the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns comes around next January a newly revitalized America will be hit by such a wave of Haggis Fever that the haggis ratings will go soaring back up again. Many thanks to Fiona Brown, Philip Healey, Colin Foster, Struan Robertson and Chris Hieatt for the entertaining “Sangs and Clatter”, not to forget Chief Haggis Basher, Leopoldo McGlumpher Paganelli. We look forward to seeing you all again next year to commemorate the 250th anniversary - with plenty of legally or otherwise imported haggis!  

St. Andrew Society Centenary Burns Supper 10th February 06

2006 photos, click here!

After braving a violent rainstorm worthy of Tam O’ Shanter’s Tale in order to reach the Gavea Golf Club, a hundred and thirty dried out guests sat down to watch the haggis and a splendid Centenary commemoration cake being well and truly toasted in traditional style by our Society Piper, Vagner Costa, assisted by Chief Haggis Basher, Leopoldo Paganelli and supported by a stout bodyguard of kilted clansmen. It was a particular pleasure to welcome the Tartan Army from Macae! When we were all fit to burst - or as we say - “stappit fu’ -” on the Grant’s Highland Haggis (brought all the way from Bannockburn and fortified wi’ a wee nip o’ Ballantine’s 12 year old whisky) we accompanied the talented Bruno Sa on piano, who brought back the memories with a selection of the best of Burns words and melodies guaranteed to leave not a dry eye in the house.

The refurbished 78 year old Quaich golf trophy was on display, gleaming and polished. Last year’s winner, Nigel Woodcock, had the privilege of providing a bottle of whisky to fill the cup and pass it round the guests.  

We were entertained by Professora Ana Lucia Henriques and students Eliza Abrantes and Amaury Garcia from UERJ, who led the toast and reply from the lassies after giving us their impressions of Scotland seen through Brazilian eyes while they travelled through Burns country in January.

Philip Healey created a spot of hilarity at Jimmy Frew ’s expense (“the only thing he’ll ever get at my expense!”, says Jimmy) with a parody called “My Luv’s a Sexy Rose”
Tam O ’ Shanter put in an appearance, suitably attired from the eighteenth century, with this unusual tale:

Cavaleiros Cloon (with apologies to Tam)

When daylight fades in Macae
An’ rigmen knock off for the day
A black eyed lassie taks the street
Some pie eyed oilman for tae meet
Frae Aiberdeen or Drumnadrochit
A wad o’ dollars in his pocket
She’s fresh off Cavaleiros beach
A’ sweet an’ soft like a sun kissed peach
She’ll get him stoned on rum an’ coke
Till in the mornin’ stoney broke
He wakes up lost an’ far frae toon
This cocked up Cavaleiros cloon

They call this punter Tam the Chanter
A blusterin’ bleary eyed bletherin’ wanker
That frae November till October
When off the job he’s seldom sober
He’s always gie’in’ the girls the eye
Then wonders why they pass him by
You’ll see him here you’ll see him there
In the Irish pub in the hippie square
He’s never either up nor doon
This cocked up Cavaleiros cloon

And at the Caledonian Ball
In  his kilt and sporran, bow tie an’ all
Tam stood at the door amazed and curious
The eightsome reel grew fast and furious 
MacPhail’s accordion louder blew
The dancers quicker quicker flew
Till Leopoldo tripped and fell
And pulled Tom Lauder down as well
And Margaret skited ower the floor
And flew at Tam, still at the door
No words - could tell the way he felt
She claught him right below the belt
No more he’ll play the wild rover
His Cavaleiros days are over

He went on the bus back tae Macae
On the bridge goin’ ower Guanabara Bay
A blast o’ wind came rattlin’ through   
An’ oot the windae Tammie flew
He hit the sea wi’ such a clout
It very nearly knocked him out
A chopper pilot passin’ by
Said “ Hey I recognize that guy”
He picked Tam up and left him blazin’
Back on the rig in the Campos basin
Thirty dry days tae work for more pay
Tae spend on the lassies in Macae

Wi’ Tam O’ Shanter I’m ok
I do him in a different way
At Burns suppers every year
I get a laugh - sometimes a cheer
For forty years or more, you see
This Cavaleiros cloon’s been me

And surely Rabbie wouldna care
If I change a wee word here and there
For here we are in another land
Where most folk canna understand
So like heroic Tam we’re able
Tae see upon this holy table (holds up England flag)
An England flag that once flew tall
Till Ronaldinho kicked this ball
That goal

made him an instant hero
Frae John O’ Groats tae Rio de Janeiro

Now, wha this tale o’ truth shall read

Dick Cheney and George Bush take heed
When to invade you are inclined
And oilwells are on your mind
One day you’re up next day you’re doon
Remember - Cavaleiros cloon!

The night was rounded off with Scottish Country Dancing under the watchful supervision of Audrey Hieatt.
That there is a Burns Supper complete with haggis and all the trimmings in Rio de Janeiro is no mean feat in itself and this year was another fitting tribute to Scotland’s national bard. I’m sure he would have approved!

Jimmy Frew      President

2005 photos, click here!

The annual celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Celebrated on, or about, the Bard's birthday, January 25th, Burns Suppers range from stentoriously formal gatherings of esthetes and scholars to uproariously informal rave-ups of drunkards and louts. Most Burns Suppers fall in the middle of this range, and adhere, more or less, to some sort of time honoured form which includes the eating of a traditional Scottish meal, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the recitation of works by, about, and in the spirit of the Bard.

The Burns Supper is an important tradition for millions of people throughout the world who regularly celebrate their Scottish Heritage. From here in Rio de Janeiro, throughout Scotland, the United Kingdom, Europe, South America, North to South, East to West….., this is an experience to be savoured!

Background

Many would argue that there are strict guidelines and observances that must be followed to create a "true" Burns Supper. Whilst in practice this may be true for the most dedicated Burns celebrations, it may not be wholly representative of a modern society comprising those who would rightly choose to celebrate Robert Burns, their Scottish Culture & Heritage in a less formal manner.

The first recorded Burns celebration was held in July 1801 on the anniversary of his Death comprising a group of friends and acquaintances. Later the date was to change to the evening of the anniversary of his Birth (25th January) and would become "Burns Night" with the focal point being the "Burns Supper" These gatherings were the origins of the Celebration of Burns as seen today. Similarly, Robert Burns would now be celebrated on St. Andrews Day, and at any other social occasion in the Calendar, for those with a link to Scottish Heritage.

Many of the long standing Burns Suppers are strictly "men only" affairs reflecting the historic nature of the celebration, and this is no doubt a proud tradition that will continue. Increasingly however, many organised Burns Suppers are "mixed company" which is helping to introduce more women to Burns and brings a greater social balance to the proceedings. (Do I hear howls of derision from the Burns purists?) The "all male" domain has been diluted so much over the years that women now play an important role in the Burns Supper, giving balance & female perspective through their toasts, recitals and song…….. not to mention the vast improvement in the visual content !.

So what is the purpose of a Burns Supper?

In simplistic terms, a Burns Supper is one of the most celebrated events in the Scottish cultural calendar, not just here in Scotland……but throughout the entire world. Whilst some of the component parts of a "Burns Supper" are used in other Scottish cultural celebrations, like St Andrews Day celebrations, "Tartan Day" events, Caledonian Society gatherings etc, the true Burns Supper follows a common agenda, specific to the celebration of the life, works & cultural heritage of Robert Burns. In addition, as Robert Burns has evolved over more than 200 years to become an icon of Scotland & Scottish identity, the Burns Supper is also an important celebration of Scotland itself. The main objective of a Burns Supper therefore is to celebrate the memory of Robert Burns and your Scottish heritage.