A Man`s A Man For A` That
by Robert Burns
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 marquis, 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 coming yet for a` that,
That man to man, the world o`er,
Shall brithers be for a` that.
Notes for the Sasunnach and other strange folks:
aboon -- above
birkie -- a lively, young, forward fellow
coof -- fool, ninnie
fa` -- have as one`s lot
gree -- prize
gowd -- gold
hame -- home
hing -- hang
hoddin -- coarse, woollen cloth
maunna -- must not
(Quoted from: The Complete Illustrated Poems, Songs & Ballads of Robert Burns,
London 1990).
Enjoy!
Gisbert , ,
Gisbert W.Selke WIdO, Bonn, Germany
