The Selkirk Grace has been around since the 17th century. It was then known as the Galloway Grace or the Covenanters' Grace and it was written in the Lowland Scots dialect (Lallands).

There are a few stories as to how the Selkirk Grace came about. The most widespread story is that in 1794, while touring Galloway, Robert Burns was staying at the home of the Earl of Selkirk and would regale the family with stories, songs and poems every night after dinner. One night he was asked to say grace; he then delivered the Galloway Grace off the top of his head in English, changing it to his own style of reading. The Earl of Selkirk and the other guests were so impressed with the grace that Burns later published the poem under the title The Selkirk Grace in the Earl's honour.

The Selkirk Grace is recited at the beginning of every Burns Dinner on or around January 25th, before the Address To a Haggis. But it is a fitting grace for any meal, it would be the perfect grace to give just before a Thanksgiving feast.

You have to admit, it is a compact grace that contains all you really need to say about having good food to eat and being thankful for having it.

The Selkirk Grace, reportedly as read by Robert Burns

Some have meat and cannot eat,
And some would eat that want it,
But we have meat and we can eat,
And so the Lord be thankit.

The Selkirk Grace, the published version

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.


the Selkirk Grace, the Gaelic version

Ha biadh aig cuid, 's gun aca càil,
Acras aig cuid,'s gun aca biadh,
Ach againne tha biadh is slàint',
Moladh mar sin a bhith don Triath.