Robert Burns Archives - Keith Shields

Solitude

I went away for a few days to be alone with God. I had some decisions to make about the future and I wanted to hear from God. I believe that he can and will guide me. I believe that I am to be open to his guidance in my life; but, it is hard…

GEMS

My maternal grandfather went by the name, George Edward Maclaren Smith. “Maclaren” was his own invention. He liked the sound of it; it served him well when he wished to emphasise his Scottish heritage to seek employment; and he liked the initials G. E. M. S. on the steamer trunk that carried his belongings from…

Follow-up to Robert Burns Day 2013

One stanza from “To A Louse” by Robert Burns: O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us! It wad frae mony a blunder free us, An’ foolish notion: What airs in dress an’ gait wad lea’e us, An’ ev’n devotion! My English translation: Oh, if only God would…

Robert Burns Day 2013

Robert Burns was a self-indulgent man who drank too much and fathered children with several women. He had many of the character flaws of a contemporary rock star. He was also a brilliant writer of poetry and song. One of my favourites is still “To A Mouse.” Here it is in its original form. An…

My Father Was A Farmer

Happy Robert Burns Day! “My Father Was A Farmer” Robert Burns, 1782 Song to the tune of “The weaver and his shuttle, O.” My father was a farmer upon the Carrick border, O, And carefully he bred me in decency and order, O; He bade me act a manly part, though I had ne’er a…

To A Mouse

On many a January 25 I have quoted from Robert Burns’ “To A Louse (On Seeing One On A Lady’s Bonnet, At Church).” The final stanza, the most well known from the poem, is full of insight into humanity. O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us! It…

Self-doubt

A healthy understanding of who we are and how others see us is a blessing. Consider these two quotes: “Self-doobt isna really so bad a thing, laddie,” said Duncan with a chuckle. “‘Tis what the Creator gives t’ keep us humble. So long as it doesna cripple ye an’ make ye so ye canna do…