If it wasn't for me you would not be having haggis, neeps and tatties on the 25th of January while reciting my most famous poem “To a Haggis,” Would you? On the 25th of January, my birthday, celebrations take place all over the world mostly in Scotland. It is without a doubt that the 25th of January is one of the most important days of the Scottish year. The children would no longer compete in primary school to recite one of my poems to their whole school.
In Alloway, Scotland on the 25th of January 1759 I was born into a poor family struggling to pay the extreme rent. However even though I was born into a family in poverty I was educated well by my father because I did not attend my school. I faced large struggles but I would never give up even when I had to work to save my father's farm and the other farms. I would never admit I could not do a job and was a hard worker. I faced extremely hard work through poor living and working conditions. However I was always very patriotic and loved the country Scotland. Because of this I wanted Scotland to be an independent country which would be run by our own Government and I was very concerned and interested in politics and democracy.
I was the common man, not from a rich family and of course had to work hard to feed myself and my family around me. I worked hard for what I had and people identified me with my poems and songs because I lived the same life as they did.
In my lifetime my main achievement was publishing all my most famous pieces in one large collection called "Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect," now famous across the world. In my lifetime this was a great success, I won respect, admiration and got to dress in fine clothes to meet rich and of higher class people than myself. I gained respect from lots of brilliant writers and the critics. The volume led to me being regarded worldwide as "The Bard," meaning Scotland's National Poet. Much comment was made about my own individual and personal style of writing and rhythm on my poems and songs. Many people have tried to duplicate my unique style but have failed to do so. I was as much a symbol of Scotland as the Saltire, thistle or tartan. I am now known all over the world for being regarded as a connotation for Scotland.
I was more than just a great poet, I talked about class inequality where I complained the rich were given an easy life and did not know what a proper hard days work was. I also portrayed the roles of mean and women in society. Another issue I regularly discussed was poverty in which I felt the rich should donate to help poverty and poor living conditions. Patriotism, Scottish independence and Religion were often topics in many of my songs or poems.
When discussing Scottish culture people often referred to me. Scottish history comes from struggle- I struggled to keep both farms in good condition- conflict- I cheated on my wife Jean Armour with a few different women- nationalism- I always wanted Scotland to govern itself- loyalty- I always stuck by my friends and my countrymen through the toughest of times- victory even when everything is against you- I never gave up even when an incident had hurt me.
In conclusion you should not throw me off this balloon because I have worked extremely hard all my life and always believed my actions were to help. I am arguably the most famous character in Scottish cultural history, after all.
