a digital library of Unitarian Universalist biographies, history, books, and media
the digital library of Unitarian Universalism
Home » Poetry, Prayers & Visual Arts » Robert Burns: The Selkirk Grace

Robert Burns: The Selkirk Grace

Harvard Square Library exists solely on the basis of donations.  If you have benefitted from any of our materials, and/or if making Unitarian Universalist intellectual heritage materials widely available and free is a value to you, please donate whatever you can–every little bit helps: Donate 

Some hae meat, and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
And sae our God be thank it!

Robert Burns (1759–1796) is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. Burns Night, a celebration of this beloved Scot, is practically a national holiday. The traditional Burns Night dinner usually begins with “Selkirk Grace” and concludes after the meal with singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” which is also attributed to the poet.