A Poem Ne ly Sprung in Fairvie - Fairview Town Crier
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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 influenced 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 after a and Shelley. Walter Scott was also a great distinguished men of my time.”
character in a poem by that name? And In the late 1700s, many Scots migrated A commemorative plate showing
admirer and wrote this wonderful descrip-
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 dignified plainness and with Burns. One Scotsman who shares
the works of world-renowned Scottish simplicity which received part of its effect 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 five 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
Scottish poetry, Tom was
Inspired by Robert Burns
his girlfriend, summer day.
Linda Rose. That memory was
given the assignment to write still fresh in Tom’s
The couple
A Celebration in Poetry, Music and Song drove into the a poem from the perspective mind when he partic-
Ayrshire coun- ipated in a workshop
Monday, August 31 7:30 pm 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
destination in He chose to write from the Folk School near
of some of the works of Robert Burns, featuring people who have Brasstown (in
mind. She spot-
been inspired by his words and songs. You must first register with the ted a wee post
point of view of Kate O’ Shanter, WNC) in August
library before attending this free Zoom event. To find a direct link to the office 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,
museum on the other side of the road. weavers, blacksmiths, calligraphers, singers,
which has toured in the US and Europe, will perform a few of Burns’ instrument-makers, chefs and others. One
Unwittingly, the couple had arrived in
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
Kate O’ Shanter
Written in August 2019 in the mountains of North Carolina by
Tam O’ Fairview (Tom Milroy) and revised with the help of Hugh Farrell
Kate O’ Shanter’s greatest sadness That stormy weekend,
Wa’ that drink was driving while Tam was drinkin’
Tam tae madness. Witches and warlocks from their
Oft 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 Things were now quite oot o’ hand road tae hame.
Tom Milroy stopped to mail a So Kate determined tae make a stand.
She called him a skellum but What happened next ye all
postcard at a small post office—
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 efforts left 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’ There hangs in glory the
point of view of Kate O’ Shanter, the wife of in Durham. These events made a big there alone in her bed. Grey Mare’s Tail.
Tam O’ Shanter in Burns’ poem. The 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 first 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 definitely not
Some readers of the Crier might have in-depth insights into the poet and the
And women flocked tae her She had caught up with Maggie
celebrated the life and works of Burns man,” he said. “That night turned out to be who needed a gown. after dancing a jig
by participating in a Burns Supper. life changing for me. Tom had put together Oft times when Tam and Johnny And had yanked her tail off
Every year, on or around Burns’ birthday an event that was far beyond anything I had gone off to Ayr before the brig.
(January 25), these celebrations are held could ever have imagined. The poetry, the Kate and Isabella their worries
all over the world. The first supper, held music, the camaraderie. The highlight of would share. The 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. These 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 Their 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
Burns Suppers regularly when he lived
They sewed their costumes bloom is shed.
continued on page 30
until after dark. And nae like the snowflakes on the river
One seamstress e’en stitched up There for a moment and then
a cutty sark. gone forever.
Another used furs that she had found
To make a costume like a hound. They 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
Then Kate press-ganged in the mist
Great Uncle Dick They pause at the graveyard where
Tae play the role o’ the de’il Nick. first 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.The 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. The 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.) This was the
the birthplace of Burns, with him. first 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 offered 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.” That call was an Tarbolton, home of The 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 after 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. (The 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. The home of the email him at tommilroy@mindspring.com
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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