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.
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.. |
© Copyright 2012 Forathat, LLC