The Plow and the Pen

PREFACE

The “LEGEND OF RABBIE BURNS” (and others) is based on fact and fiction.   The true fact and the fantasy of fiction in this book and the musical play blend with one another.    They reveal the hardships and the overwhelming struggle against the odds that Robert Burns encountered during his short life.

The cruel affliction of family misfortune, ill health, and a seemingly never-ending crop failure, were just some of the heartbreaks he suffered -- but never did any of these setbacks dampen his sense of humour, nor did they curb his romantic escapades with the ladies.   His gift of writing poetry and song was never in any way affected; in fact, the adversity  seemed only to encourage him.

Who could ever forget his greatest song “Auld Lang Syne”.   Many refer to this song as the world’s “national anthem”.   What a magnificent melodic line, enriched with deep harmony and heart warming lyric:

“SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT…”

Indeed his poems and songs which were eventually printed and published in many languages around the world, proved him to be a literary genius.

But above it all, who could ever exceed his views on the sufferings of mankind.   When he made the unforgettable statement about “MAN’S INHUMANITY TO MAN”...how true it was!   What a profound and sad admission of truth was this statement about the condition of humanity from the lips of a humble farmer’s son.

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JACK PHILLIPS, born in Glasgow, Scotland, author and composer of this book and the musical “THE LEGEND OF RABBIE BURNS” (and others) offers a well-deserved musical tribute to Scotland’s bard.

This creation portrays Scottish humour, love and romance -- tragic circumstances, and the untimely death of Robert Burns in a magical blend of fact and fantasy.