View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 2004 CD release of Immortal Memory on Discogs. It's a fitting tribute for one who himself did so much to preserve and popularise Scotland's rich historical, cultural and literary heritage. From the moment the library opened in 1877, its committee declared its intention to honour the memory of Robert Burns. Here, scholars and enthusiasts alike can dip into an ever-growing online resource of the National's outstanding collection. Unable to find a patron to support his writing, despite the success of "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect", Burns began working for an Edinburgh music-seller, James Johnson, who had embarked on a project to collect and publish the words and music of every Scottish folk-song. First and foremost, of course, Burns was a poet. Rumour has it that drink was also involved. Add to that a remarkable collection of original manuscripts, including a letter from Burns to his former schoolmaster in which he wrote: I seem to be one sent into the world to see and observe. Lyrics to 'Thanks For The Memories' by Fall Out Boy: I'm gonna make you bend and break (It sent you to me without wait) Say a prayer, but let the good times roll In … Linn's egalitarian regime all of the office staff have identical desks and chairs, everyone eats at the same staff canteen and given names are used throughout would surely have been applauded by the man who wrote For a' that and a' that. Fans of Enya, Dead Can Dance, or snowy, image-laden soundscapes of powerful quietude will have no problem making that choice. But a memory, a memory Can make a flower bloom We wanna be remembered Don't wanna live in vain But nothing lasts forever It also features his Complete Works with a glossary translation of harder Burns words into German, French, Spanish and American, plus the best of Burns translated into 'the de'il's tongue', English. Usually it lasts for about 20 - 25 minutes and can cover any topic or range of topics chosen by the speaker. He could write about mundane daily events, bring them to life and imbue his writing with philosophical wisdom.

Burns, then, clearly did his bit to preserve Scotland's heritage, not to mention language, for future posterity. This is the keynote speech of any Burns Supper and, by tradition, is delivered immediately after the dinner ends. Variously described as 'hauntingly authentic', 'the definitive collection of Scotland's most famous son', and all 'performed with skill, feeling and, most importantly, pride', Linn's "The Complete Songs of Robert Burns" is the only series of its kind in the world. For an eye witness account of how his fellow rural Scots lived, look no further than Burns' The Cotter's Saturday Night or for impassioned comment on the apparent hypocrisy of certain sections of the Kirk, read Holy Willie's Prayer.