Or, more accurately, who was Robert? Contrary to popular belief, none of the members of the band (not even the women) are called Robert Fish. The band was named in homage to a little-known contemporary of Robert Burns, the poet and scoundrel Robert Fish. We are deeply grateful to Jim Weir, whose detailed research brought the life and works of Fish to a wider audience in 1983.

Robert Fish was born in Alloway, Ayrshire on the same day as Burns, and they grew up together. Controversy has reigned ever since as to which of these poets plagiarised the work of the other. We humbly offer a selection of Fish's work below so that you can decide for yourselves....

AMANDA'S A MAN FOR A' THAT

In the toon of Alloway
A broken-hearted man does stay
Who sits and weeps on his veranda
All because his name's Amanda

What a ribbin' does he take 
From Tam and Bob and Bill and Jake!
His days are long and very grim
For a'body does laugh at him

But I hae got a tale to tell;
Amanda has been oot wi' Nell!
And Jane and Liz and Jill and May!
And Bess and Jean and Kisty tae!

Amanda's a man for a' that
Amanda's a man for a' that
For a' that and a' that
Amanda's a man for a' that

TO A PINT

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie heid
Great chieftain o' the tumbler breed;
Sae aft you've served to quench my greed
An' knock me silly
An' sent me hame wi' burlin heid
To hit the pillie.

MY MOTHER HAD A RED, RED NOSE (1781)

My mother had a red, red nose
That hints o' some affliction;
Then doon her throat a whiskey goes;
It's alcohol addiction!

Till a' the pubs gang dry, m'dear
Till a' the pubs gang dry; 
Your nose it shall be red m'dear 
Till a' the pubs gang dry.