Marathon Series Celebrates Songs of Burns

GORDON HOTCHKISS

The most comprehensive study of the songs of Robert Burns ever broadcast starts on Celtic Music Radio this week.

The carefully crafted marathon series, Rantin’ Rovin’ Robyn, presented by Gordon Hotchkiss, will run for a period of 34 weeks, starting on May 14 with the final edition going out, appropriately, on December 31.

“As far as I’m aware this is the most detailed and lengthy radio tribute ever to Burns – I don’t believe anything on such a scale has been broadcast before,” said Gordon.

“Only a very limited number of Burns’ songs are ever broadcast, between ten and 20 at most, so I was keen to play many, many more on the radio and that’s what sparked off this musical adventure in the early days of Covid lockdown in 2020.”

A lifelong fan of the Bard, Gordon has spent the best part of the last five years researching Burns’ extensive catalogue of around 400 songs that he was associated with – songs he actually wrote or collaborations or others he adapted.

His series will feature more than 370 songs.

“I will play the first song he ever wrote aged 15 in 1774 and the last one, in 1796, the year of his death when he was 37,” said Gordon. “I have no doubt there are songs lost or destroyed but the song playlist is extensive and some of the songs are wonderful.”

Gordon said Burns was a romantic songwriter and he also wrote about customs and traditions he encountered in his daily life.

“He also wrote radical, political, Jacobite songs and though many were of their time, they are of historical relevance in many ways, I believe.”

Burns was readily celebrated for his bawdy output but Gordon has been advised these are inappropriate for his radio show as they breach broadcasting output conditions.

While Gordon freely admitted some of the songs are ‘not great ones’ he makes a valid point about their long lasting appeal.

“How many of today’s songwriters reckon their songs will be listened to 250 years on, but Burns achieved that with these compositions.

“And he has an international fan club as his songs are accepted and admired the world over, and many have been translated into other languages for recording.

“Recently, our Album of the Week on Celtic Music Radio was Norwegian band Reitir, who play his songs translated into their West-Telemark dialect.

“So, it shows you his appeal is still strong.”

The programmes, going out on Wednesdays at 7 pm, will feature up to 70 different singers from a variety of sources including Gordon’s own collection and Celtic Music Radio’s library.

“It has been a pleasure and a fascinating undertaking,” said Gordon, who describes himself as an “avid fan, not necessarily an expert.”

He is pleased with what he is set to broadcast and added: “I hope people who listen to the programmes will find them informative and entertaining and will enjoy Burns’ music as much as I have over the years.”

• Rantin’ Rovin’ Robyn, an in-depth series of Burns’ music presented by Gordon Hotchkiss, starts at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.