A Man's a Man for A' That
by
Brother Robert Burns
_______

Is there for honest poverty
That hings 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,
Our toils obscure, 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, tho e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie ca'd 'a lord,'
What struts, an stares, an a' that?
Tho hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a cuif for a' that.
For a' that, an a' that,
His ribband, star, an a' that,
The man o' independent mind,
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an a' that!
But an honest man's aboon his might -
Guid faith, he mauna fa' that!
For a' that, an a' that,
Their dignities, an a' that,
The pith o' sense an' pride o' worth
Are higher rank 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,
Shall bear the gree an a' that.
For a' that, an a' that,
It's comin yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world, o'er
Shall brithers be for a' that.


Please contact our Webmaster with any technical comments or 
questions about this site or to provide updates to the site content.

Disclaimer - The information contained in these Web pages is, to the best of our knowledge, true and accurate at the time of publication, and is solely for informational purposes. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising as a result of use or reliance on this information.

Copyright © 2002 - 2008  
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire
All rights reserved