27
A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT.
Words by Burns. Key-note B flat.
Is there for honest poverty,
That hangs his head and 'a' that?
The coward-slave we pass him by,
And dare be puir, for a' that.
For a' that, and a' that;
Our toils obscure, and a' that;
The rank is but the guinea-stamp,
The man's the gowd, for a' that.
What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hodden-grey, and a' that ;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine
A man's a man, for a' that.
For a' that, and a' that,
Their tinsel show and a' that ;
The honest man, tho' e'er sae puir,
Is king o' men for a' that.
Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord,
Wha struts and stares, and a' that ;
Though hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a cuif for a' that.
For a' that, and a' that,
His ribbon, star, and a' that;
The man of independent mind,
Can look and laugh at a' that.
The king can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, and a' that,
An honest man's aboon his might,
Gude faith, he mauna fa' that!
For a' that, and a' that,
Their dignities, and a' that ;
The pith o sense, the 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,
When man to man, the warld o'er,
Shall brothers be, for a' that.
