For a' that and a' that (Edinburgh)/For a' that and a' that

by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

For other versions of this work, see A Man's a Man for A' That.

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FOR A' THAT

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

What tho' on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin 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 so 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 ribband, star and a' that,
The man of independent mind
Can look and laugh at a' that.

⟨A⟩ prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, 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,
Its coming yet for a' that,
That man to man, the warld o'er,
Shall brithers be for a' that.

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