PoemA Man’s A Man For A’ That
Author / PoetRobert Burns
TagsHonesty, Independence, Poverty

Is there for honesty 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,
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,
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 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 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.

Robert Burns
Robert Burns
25 Jan 1759 - 21 Jul 1796
Region: Western Europe
Period: Romantic
Movement: Romanticism

more poems by Robert Burns

Poem NameTopic
A Red, Red RoseFarewell, Love, Rose
Comin Thro’ The RyeBody, Kiss, Love
Ae Fond KissFarewell, Heartbroken, Love
My Eppie MacnabEppie, Forgotten, Jock
Afton WaterAfton, Mary, River
My Spouse NancyHusband, Nancy, Obedience
The Muckin’ O’ Geordie’s ByreByre, Chaos, Geordie
To A MouseForesight, Nature, Panic
Love In The Guise Of FriendshipDenial, Friendship, Love
Ae Fond Kiss (Another Version)Farewell, Heartbroken, Love

all poems by Robert Burns

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