Do you think MJ really recorded Robert Burns' poems? I really have serious doubts that MJ recorded anything.
David Gest revealed in several interviews that he and Michael Jackson recorded several old Robert Burns poems with new, innovative music. Three of them were ‘Ae Fond Kiss’, ‘A Red, Red Rose’ and ‘Tam O’Shanter’. Gest: "We haven't changed the lyrics but the music is now modern and brought up to date," Gest said. "Michael and I had fun. It's something we have always wanted to do…because he is our favourite poet."
Assuming this story is true and no disrespect to Michael but even actors struggle to recite Robert Burns' poetry. It isn't easy. It's harder than Shakespeare for many people.
Here's the first two stanzas from Tam o' Shanter:
When chapman billies leave the street,
And drouthy neebors, neebors meet,
As market-days are wearing late,
An’ folk begin to tak the gate;
While we sit bousing at the nappy,
And getting fou and unco’ happy,
We think na on the lang Scots miles,
The mosses, waters, slaps and styles,
That lie between us and our hame,
Whare sits our sulky sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
This truth fand honest
Tam o’ Shanter,
As he frae Ayr ae night did canter,
(Auld Ayr, wham ne’er a town surpasses,
For honest men and bonny lasses.)
