On this day in 1796 Scottish poet Robert Burns died at the age of 37.

Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. A pioneer of the Romantic movement, after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world. Born in a humble cottage in Ayrshire, he worked in the Customs Service, travelling throughout Scotland and proving once again that great poets can often have mundane day jobs (Philip Larkin was a librarian, T S Eliot worked in a bank, etc.).

Today's quote comes from one of his favourite songs, that was originally a bawdy folk...

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