Holy Willie’s Prayer (1785) and The Ordination: A Scotch Poem (1786) – both of which explore the use and misuse of religious power in 18th-century Scotland – will sit side-by-side for the first time in many years through this joint display by the National Library of Scotland and The Mitchell Library.

Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Ben Macpherson said:

This one-day exhibition is not to be missed. Robert Burns’ poetry, songs and sentiments on the human condition continue to resonate with people the world over and, some 250 years after he developed his work, this exhibition is an exciting opportunity to see two of those original manuscripts close up.

Burns Day is one of Scotland’s most well-known and best loved national days, where Scots and Scots at heart around the world celebrate Burns’ poetry and affirm some of our country’s most important values – fairness, equality and internationalism.

Cllr David McDonald, the Chair of Glasgow Life, said: 

Glasgow is home to some priceless treasures, not least our collection of original manuscripts and objects associated with the Bard. To get to see not one, but two original works, albeit for a short period of time, presents an unmissable opportunity on Burns Day. I would urge everyone to get down to the Kelvin Hall and see them for themselves, before enjoying a traditional Burns Night celebration.

Details of the manuscripts include:

Holy Willie’s Prayer. Written in 1785 to expose the hypocrisy of the Mauchline Kirk elder, William Fisher, Holy Willie’s Prayer is one of the best examples of Burns’s religious satire. In addition to the poem itself, here Burns explains the background to it. From the National Library of Scotland’s collections.

The Ordination: A Scotch Poem. Written in 1786, The Ordination is a satire on the appointment of the evangelical Reverend James Mackinlay (1756–1841) to the Laigh Kirl, Kilmarnock, reflecting conflicts between the traditional and progressive religious ideas within the community. From the Mitchell Library, Glasgow Museums and Collections.

The display will take place at the National Library of Scotland, Kelvin Hall, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AW on Friday 25 January, from 11am–3pm. Entry is free.