Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-25
ROBERT BURNS BIRTHDAY.
A Suggested Sequel to One of HI.
Songs in Comm marafian

III SOmmemOfAt1On.
One hundred and forty years ago today
Robert Burns, the bard of Scotland, was
born. For very many of the years which
have elapsed since his death in 1896 sons
! of Scotland in all climes and countries have
united in praise Of the singer Time does
not dim his memory nor the love which is
| borne for him and his works by the ma
tives of not only the land of which he sang
so sweetly, but of other countries, where
admiration for true poetry is strong. The
Scots Of Washington have always marked
the day with meetings and various exer-
cises devoted to a consideration Of Burns
and his works. But whether the occasion
is formally commemorated not the spirit
of observance is to be noted in all places
where the 'canny Scot is present, whether
he be of the highland or of the lowland.
The clans are united in this regard for the
poet. History is forgotten in the rhythm of
his songs
One of these local ceremonials will be the
Burns anniversary banquet of the Gale
DOMAIN Club. to be held at the Hotel Reuter-
tonight. Senator Kyle, Senator Nelson,
General Spalding, Secretary Wilson, Rev.
DR.. Thomas Easton and others will re-
srond to toasts. DR.. Thomas Miller, Will
liam Jardine, Robert l.. Cameron. Robert
Low and Jno. B. Smyth as a committee
have charge of the arrangements.
The Star is in receipt Of a communication
from MI. LendS 4. ROBBINS aDrODOS of this
anniversary Of Burns BIRTH which is of
peculiar interest in that it offers sequel
10 one of Burns best-known songs. The
letter follows:
"One of Burns best songs is that entitled
John Anderson, My Jo. The Scottish
dialect-word 'jo,' in our vernacular 1
would say, means love.
This song purports to be the address of
an aged wife to her aged husband, and is
| so pathetically full of human feeling that
l always regretted that Burns did not him
self write a suitable reply for John Ander-
son to have made to that address. But as
n did not, and as such a reply ought to be
written by some one, 1 have had the
audacity to mount my limping pegasus to
see what l could accomplish in that dircc-
ton.
but two stanzas, and then follow it by what
l think would have been a suitable reply
to that affectionate address of his guild
wife, by John Anderson:
- John Anderson my jo John
When were first acquaint
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent;
But now your brow is bald John,
Your locks like the snow;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson, my 10.
John Anderson my TO- John
We clamb the hill thegither,
And mony canty day, John,
We've had wi ane anither;
Now we maun totter down. John,
But hand in hand Wen go,
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo.'
John AndersOn's Reply.
'Oh. lot for fye that sleep, jean
Our 1--we true and deep,
Win live ayont the stars, jean
Where name e'er wax to weep.
And when reach that hame Jean,
Your brow IL be brent and fair;
The guidwife that I've lived weel
VIII be DER bonnie there.
Jean Anderson, my jo jean
o. a guidwiyes the best
In that bright hame ayont, Jean,
Wen haze blessed rest;
Our Savior's promised rest. Jean
He IL Danish doubts and fears
Gle courage to poor timid souls,
And wipe ava their tears