A MAN'S A MAN FOR ALL THAT

or IS THERE FOR HONEST POVERTY

by Robert Burns

Is there for honest poverty

That hangs his head, an' a' that

The coward slave, we pass him by

We dare be poor for a' that

For a' that, an' a' that

The rank is but the guinea's stamp

The man's the gowd for a' that

What though on hamely fare we dine

Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that

Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine

A man's a man, for a' that

For a' that, an' a' that

Their tinsel show an' a' that

The honest man, though e'er sae poor

Is king o' men for a' that

Ye see yon birkie ca'd a lord

Wha struts an' stares an' a' that

Tho' hundreds worship at his word

He's but a coof for a' that

For a' that, an' a' that

The man o' independent mind

He looks an' laughs at a' that

A prince can mak' a belted knight

A marquise, duke, an' a' that

But an honest man's aboon his might

Gude faith, he maunna fa' that

For a' that an' a' that

Their dignities an' a' that

The pith o' sense an' pride o' worth

Are higher rank that a' that

Then let us pray that come it may

(as come it will for a' that)

That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth

Shall bear the gree an' a' that

For a' that an' a' that

It's coming yet for a' that

That man to man, the world o'er

Shall brithers be for a' that