A Poem Ne ly Sprung in Fairvie
by CLARK AYCOCK
ave you ever sung “Auld Lang therefore able to write in the local Ayrshire Syne” on New Year’s Eve? dialect, as well as in “Standard” English. He Or have you ever uttered the wrote many romantic poems that are still phrase, when frustrated, “the recited and sung today, and some of us may best-laid schemes of mice and men…”? remember his songs more easily than we do Did you know that John Steinbeck’s classic his poetry. in a human book Of Mice and Men was based on a line Robert Burns infl uenced many other head, though I in a poem written “To a Mouse”... or that poets including Wordsworth, Coleridge have seen the most a Tam O’ Shanter cap was named aft er a distinguished men of my time.” and Shelley. Walter Scott was also a great A commemorative plate showing character in a poem by that name? And admirer and wrote this wonderful descrip- In the late 1700s, many Scots migrated did you know that singer and songwriter tion of Burns that provides us with a clear from the Piedmont into the mountains of Robert Burns in the center Bob Dylan said his biggest creative impression of the man. “His person was WNC, bringing with them their country's surrounded by characters from inspiration was the poem and song “A strong and robust; his manners rustic, not culture and craft and inherent connection his poems Red, Red Rose”? Yes, we are talking about clownish, a sort of dignifi ed plainness and with Burns. One Scotsman who shares the works of world-renowned Scottish simplicity which received part of its eff ect that connection is Fairview's Tom Milroy. poet Robert Burns, who lived in Ayrshire, perhaps from knowledge of his extraordinary Although born in Yorkshire (England), Scotland from 1759 until his untimely talents...I think his countenance was more Tom is of Scottish and Basque ancestry. including many of his handwritten death in 1796. massive than it looks in any of the portraits... He came to North Carolina in the 1970s to manuscripts. On the grounds, you can Perhaps the main reason so many people there was a strong expression of shrewdness study at UNC-Chapel Hill and lived in the walk in Tam O’ Shanter’s footsteps, are familiar with Robert Burns is that his in all his lineaments; the eye alone, I think, Triangle area for over 30 years. But then, including over the Brig o’ Doon, the themes and language were of everyday life. indicated the poetical character and tempera- being a mountain man at heart, he moved 15th-century bridge that is a critical part He used small subjects, most notably the ment. It was large, and of a dark cast, and to Fairview about fi ve years ago. of the famous poem. It is not surprising mouse, to express big ideas. Like many literally glowed when he spoke with feeling In 2016, Tom that Tom and Linda Scots, Burns was well-educated, and was or interest. I never saw such another eye traveled to Rose lingered at Glasgow to During a workshop on the museum for the spend time with rest of that lovely his girlfriend, Scottish poetry, Tom was summer day. Inspired by Robert Burns Linda Rose. given the assignment to write Th at memory was Th e couple still fresh in Tom’s A Celebration in Poetry, Music and Song drove into the a poem from the perspective mind when he partic- Monday, August 31 7:30 pm Ayrshire coun- ipated in a workshop tryside with of a minor character in literature. on Scottish poetry at The Town Crier and the Fairview Public Library present a celebration no particular the John C. Campbell He chose to write from the Folk School near of some of the works of Robert Burns, featuring people who have destination in mind. She spot- point of view of Kate O’ Shanter, Brasstown (in been inspired by his words and songs. You must fi rst register with the ted a wee post WNC) in August library before attending this free Zoom event. To fi nd a direct link to the offi ce on the the wife in Robert Burns’ 2019. It was taught registration page, go to fairviewtowncrier.com/links. side of the road by Bobbi Pell, who Tom Milroy will read two poems by Burns and then his own cre- and asked Tom “Tam O’ Shanter.” has written several to pull over so books about Celtic ation, “Kate O’ Shanter.” Andrew Geller will play the bagpipes, which that she could tales and Scottish he studied after attending a Burns Supper at Tom’s house in Durham. mail a postcard she had been carrying lore. It was Scottish Heritage Week at the He has been a prizewinner at the Grandfather Mountain Highland around for weeks. When she returned, she school, and it was inspiring for Tom to be Games. And Daniel Shearin of the Asheville-based band River Whyless, pointed out that there was a Robert Burns among such an amazing group of harpists, which has toured in the US and Europe, will perform a few of Burns’ museum on the other side of the road. weavers, blacksmiths, calligraphers, singers, Unwittingly, the couple had arrived in instrument-makers, chefs and others. One songs. A singer-songwriter and Grammy-nominated recording Alloway, the birthplace of Burns and site of the assignments given by Pell during engineer, Shearin led the audience in the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. the poetry workshop was to write a poem at the Orange Peel in Asheville on New Year’s Eve 2018. The museum, which incorporates from the perspective of a minor character the cottage where Robert Burns was in literature, a technique called dramatis born, contains thousands of artifacts, personae. Tom chose to write from the
16 THE FAIRVIEW TOWN CRIER August 2020 Written in August 2019 in the mountains of North Carolina by Tam O’ FairviewK (Tome Milroy)O’ and revisedSh with the helpte of Hugh Farrell
Kate O’ Shanter’s greatest sadness at stormy weekend, Wa’ that drink was driving while Tam was drinkin’ Tam tae madness. Witches and warlocks from their O three nights a week he spent in Ayr hooses were slinkin’. On a drive through the With Suitor Johnnie; they made To the ruined Alloway kirk they came Scottish countryside, quite a pair. Where Tam would ride on his Linda Rose Macfarlane and ings were now quite oot o’ hand road tae hame. Tom Milroy stopped to mail a So Kate determined tae make a stand. postcard at a small post of ice— She called him a skellum but What happened next ye all that didn’t work know verra well. which just happened to be And a drunken blellum – a bit o’ a jerk. For poor Tam thought he across the street from the She coaxed and cajoled Tam for had entered hell. Burns Cottage. days and days So, when the witches gave their chase, But her e orts le him quite unfazed. Tam drove poor Meg as if ’t were a race. Soon rumors aboot Tam and Kirkton Jean became widespread Now in Tam’s wee cottage upon a nail And Kate’s heart was abreakin’ ere hangs in glory the point of view of Kate O’ Shanter, the wife of in Durham. Th ese events made a big there alone in her bed. Grey Mare’s Tail. Tam O’ Shanter in Burns’ poem. Th e result impression on Tom's friend, Sprague For ’twas Kate who had scared Tam was Tom’s poem, entitled “Kate O’ Shanter.” Cheshire, who described his fi rst Burns Now Johnny, being a romantic fella, near tae death in the dark Before we get to why you’re reading Supper as follows:“I did not know Tom Had married a European named Isabella. When, dressed as Witch Nannie about Tom now, you need to know a little very well at that time and had a working She was a seamstress of great renown, in a Cutty Sark, bit more about Burns and his legacy. knowledge of Burns but defi nitely not And women ocked tae her She had caught up with Maggie Some readers of the Crier might have in-depth insights into the poet and the celebrated the life and works of Burns man,” he said. “Th at night turned out to be who needed a gown. a er dancing a jig by participating in a Burns Supper. life changing for me. Tom had put together O times when Tam and Johnny And had yanked her tail o Every year, on or around Burns’ birthday an event that was far beyond anything I had gone o to Ayr before the brig. (January 25), these celebrations are held could ever have imagined. Th e poetry, the Kate and Isabella their worries all over the world. Th e fi rst supper, held music, the camaraderie. Th e highlight of would share. e lessons learned that night in 1801 with Burns and nine friends, was the evening was the ‘Toast to the Immortal One evening they came up with a by Tam and Kate a huge success. A modern supper usually Memory,’ which was about the life and wonderful plan Ha’e opened up for them a includes a meal (featuring a course of works of Burns delivered by Tom. For Ye could call it shock-therapy for heavenly gate haggis) followed by toasts and speeches close to an hour, he kept the sizable crowd Kate’s beloved man. Of entire weekends spent together honoring the poet. Th ese are followed enthralled with a discourse so humorous, While old cronies in Ayr by recitations of some of his poetry and so bawdy, so erudite and so brilliant that I Willing customers o’ Isabella continue tae blether. singing of some of his songs. At the end of felt I was in the presence of some kind of and their daughters eir times together, especially the evening, all participants stand and sing wild, eccentric genius.” Were recruited as witches to witness in their bed, “Auld Lang Syne.” Like so many others who have attended some slaughters. Are nae like the poppies whose Tom and his family used to organize Burns Suppers, Sprague became inspired ey sewed their costumes bloom is shed. Burns Suppers regularly when he lived continued on page 30 until a er dark. And nae like the snow akes on the river One seamstress e’en stitched up ere for a moment and then a cutty sark. gone forever. Another used furs that she had found To make a costume like a hound. ey now wander the glens in the Meanwhile pipers learned tae glorious gloamin’ grimace while skirlin’ Heading for their bothy like twa While dancers learned tae jig pigeons homin’. while birlin’. And passing the Auld Kirk en Kate press-ganged in the mist Great Uncle Dick ey pause at the graveyard where Tae play the role o’ the de’il Nick. rst they kissed. While they are strolling arm in arm Now Suitor Johnnie was full o’ blether Kate is nursing nae wrath tae But he could aye predict the weather. keep it warm. He had seen the auld moon Every time Tam thinks o’ boozing, cradling the new, then without fail, So he forecast storms that Kate brings up the memory o’ grew and grew. the Grey Mare’s Tail.
To enjoy “Kate O’ Shanter” to the fullest, it’s best if you’re familiar with “Tam O’ Shanter.” Find a link to both poems at fairviewtowncrier.com/links.
THE FAIRVIEW TOWN CRIER August 2020 17 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 A Poem Ne ly Sprung in Fairvie to learn more about the life and poem popped into my museum with period furnishings.Th e club works of the writer. In 2018, head.” Cheshire told has been the inspiration for Burns Clubs he and his daughter took a Tom that he should worldwide. Th e clubs use poetry, singing trip to Scotland and made contact Hugh and and other competitions to honor the sure to visit Ayrshire and share his poem memory of Robert Burns.) Th is was the the birthplace of Burns, with him. fi rst meeting of the club since 1809. as well as the museum in So, Tom Tom has other connections with Alloway. “We stood in the decided to try Burns, too. For example, his mother’s small cottage where Burns to make contact maiden name was Burns. She probably came into the world, and with Hugh via disapproved of Burns’ reputation with there we met Hugh Farrell, the Burns Cottage wine and women and so, even though her a site guide, a Burns scholar, Museum. It took ancestors came from the same small town and chairman of the Friends several tries, but he (Brechin) on the other side of Scotland of the Robert Burns Museum. eventually succeeded. that the poet’s grandfather was from, she Above, Hugh Farrell (left) and Hugh recited “Tam O’ Shanter” Hugh responded warmly denied any familial connection. Also, Sprague Cheshire; below, The in a dramatic fashion and told us tales and off ered to chat with Tom Tom’s paternal grandmother was born in Bachelors' Club, Tarbolton of Burns and Scotland. I made sure I about “Tam O’ Shanter.” Th at call was an Tarbolton, home of Th e Bachelors’ Club. It recorded the name of Hugh Farrell with a amazing moment in Tom’s life. He and was from residents of Tarbolton that Burns feeling that contact with him in the future Hugh discovered that they were born not drew inspiration for many of the characters might be in the cards.” only in the same year but on the same day. described so vividly in “Tam O’ Shanter.” Some months aft er Tom had written Inspired by that knowledge, Tom decided For Old Time’s Sake “Kate O’ Shanter,” he told Cheshire about to recite “Kate O’ Shanter” to Hugh over the workshop he had attended. “Tom the phone. Hugh, who is much in demand So, should old acquaintance be forgot, and then read me his [poem], and it was bril- as a speaker at Burns Suppers, liked the never brought to mind? Clearly, Tom liant,” said Cheshire. “I had not known poem so much that he subsequently Milroy is keeping the legacy of Robert Tom had this poetry writing talent. I’m recited the poem at a meeting of the Burns alive and well—and all right here in not sure he did either until he took that reconvened Bachelors’ Club on November our beautiful mountains. workshop. I strongly felt that his poem 11, 2019. (Th e club was a rural debating should be widely shared. At some point society that was founded by Robert Burns If you would like to get in touch with Tom, in our conversation, a clear vision of on November 11, 1783. Th e home of the email him at [email protected] Hugh Farrell dramatically reciting Tom’s Bachelors’ Club still stands and is now a and put “Town Crier” in the subject line.
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30 THE FAIRVIEW TOWN CRIER August 2020