Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns
Did you know that Robert Burns was the first person to feature on a Coca Cola bottle? Or that a book of his poems has orbited the earth 217 times? And he NEVER signed his name as Rabbie? This is a modern and light hearted look at the life and works of Robert Burns; poems explained; myths busted; songs sung and stories told. Listen, laugh, and maybe even learn something new with Alastair Turnbull and guests.
Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns
Burns Banter Ep. 13 Robert Burns 'Willie Wastle'
Willie Wastle, also known as 'Sic a wife Willie had' as a grotesquely funny poem / song about how unbelievably ugly Willie's wife is. Robert Burns wrote this poem in 1792 and he goes into comically hideous detail about this poor woman's appearance.
The actual reason, or inspiration behind Robert Burns writing 'Willie Wastle' has been lost to history, but two different thoughts remain. One is that it is cover for some political rant about an incident or argument that has been long forgotten. The other thought is its actually about a specific woman. If it is about a specific woman then she probably annoyed or angered Robert in some way and he has repaid that anger by ripping her apart in verse.
Listen to this episode, hear the description of this unfortunate woman, (I explain all the Scots words so its easy to understand), and decide for yourself what the poem is actually about...
Slange Var !
