Selkirk, Scottish Borders - The Selkirk Grace

The Selkirk Grace

The Selkirk Grace has no connection with the town of Selkirk, beyond its name, originating as it does, from the west of Scotland. Although attributed to Robert Burns, the Selkirk Grace was already known in the 17th century, as the "Galloway Grace" or the "Covenanters' Grace". It came to be called the Selkirk Grace because Burns was said to have delivered it at a dinner given by the Earl of Selkirk at St Mary's Isle Priory, Galloway.

Today it is used on occasions such as Burns' Night.

Scots:

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it,

But we hae meat and we can eat,

Sae let the Lord be thankit.

English:

Some have food and cannot eat,

And some would eat that lack it,

But we have food and we can eat,

So let God be thanked.