| lyric | 1. 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,
Our toils obscure, and a’ that,
The rank is but the guinea stamp;
The man’s the gowd for a? that.
2. What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an a’ that ?
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,
A man’s aman for a’ that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
Their tinsel show, an’ a’ that,
The honest man, tho’ e’er sae poor,
ls king 0’ men for a’ that.
3. Ye see yon birkie ca’d alord,
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that;
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but acoof for a’ that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
His ribband, star, an’ a’ that,
The man of independent mind
He looks an’ laughs at a’ that.
4. 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 0’ sense, an’ pride 0’ worth,
Are higher rank than a’ that.
5. 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. |