There Was a Man by Tom Wright

THERE WAS A MAN by Tom Wright

Just now I've ta'en the fit o' rhyme
My barmie noddle's working prime
My fancy yerkit up sublime
Wi' hasty summon
Hae ye a leisure - moment's time
To hear what's comin?

Robert Burns born 25th January 1759 died 21st July 1796 iis one of the great romantic poets and one of the world's great songwriters. He is also Scotland's national bard and the hero of the Scots and people of Scottish descent everywhere. The play traces his life through an exciting part of the eighteenth century and provides not only an insight into the man, but presents some of the best known works of the artist.

When, after an absence of 292 years, the Scottish Parliament reopened in Edinburgh in 1999, it chose to mark the occasion not only with the usual speeches and pageantry, not only with words from royalty and politicians, but with a song from a traditional folk singer. And not only that, the last verse of the song brought accompaniment from all the members of the...