A Man's A Man For A' That

A Man's A Man For A' That, 1795
by Robert Burns

Is there for honest poverty
That hangs 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
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, though 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
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 that 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

This is probably Burns most famous song (and the inspiration for this web site) where he speaks of liberty and independence. He tells the ruling classes that the average man is as good as or better than anyone. Burns radical views (for that time, they would not be so radical now) included the ideas that each man should have the right to vote, own land and be free.

Each of the five verses have their own meaning.

Burns is saying a man’s value, his true gold, is his character, not his wealth or social class.
A man’s honesty is more important than his appearance, his clothes or the food he eats.
A man who can think for himself is worth more than the fancy, strutting, idiot (coof) who has the title of Lord.
Dignity, honesty, goodness, and self-respect are worth more than the empty titles handed out by Princes.
The song ends with a plea that mind and character should be the standard for judging men, not their wealth or position.

This song not only gives heart to the lowly or ordinary person, but also imparts a blueprint for how a person should conduct himself by the universal virtues of honesty, goodness, character, and the ability to think..