34.A Man's A Man For A' That
Is there for honest poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that ?(2)
The coward slave, we pass him by
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure, an' a' that;
The rank is but the guinea's stamp(3),
The man's the gowd(4) for a' that.
What though on hamely fare(5) we dine,
Wear hoddin grey(6), an' a' that ?
Gie(7) fools their silks, and knaves their wine--
A man's a man for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their tinsel show(8), an' a' that,
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor(9),
Is king o' men (10) for a' that.
Ye see yon(11) birkie(12), ca'd(13) a lord,
Wha(14) struts, an' stares, an' a' that ?
Thou' hundreds worship at his word,(15)
He's but a coof(16) for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband(17), star, an' a' that,
The man o' independent mind,
He looks and laughs at a' that.
A prince can mak a belted knight(18),
A marquis, duke, an' a' that!
But an honest man's aboon his might(19)
Guid faith,(20) he mauna fa' that(21) !
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities, an' a' that,
The pith o' sense(22) an' pride o' worth,(23)
Are higher rank than a' that.
Then let us pray that come it may(24),
As come it will(25) for a' that,
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree(26), an' a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's comin(27) yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world o'er,
Shall brithers(28) be for a' that.