Burns' Popular Songs/For a' that and a' that

by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

For a' that and a' that.

Is there, for honest poverty,
That hangs his head, and a' that?
The coward slave we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, and a' that,
Our toils obscure, and a that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.

What tho' on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin gray and a' that,
A man's a man for a' that.
Gie fools their silks, and knaves the wine,
For a' that, and a' that,
Their tinsel show and a' that;
The honest man, though e'or sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, and stares, and a' that;
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that:
For a' that and a' that,
His riband, star, and a' that,
The man of independent mind
He looks and laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak'a belted knight,
A marqnis, duke, and a' that;
But an honest man's aboon his might,
Guid faith he maunna fa' that.
For a' that and a' that,
Their dignities, and a' that,
The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth,
Are higher ranks than 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,
May bear the gree, and a’ that,
For a’ that, and a’ that,
It’s coming yet for a’ that.
That man to man, the world o’er,
Should brothers be for a’ that

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