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"A Man's a Man for A' That" Poem

This poem argues that true worth is found in one's character, not in material things or social class. It celebrates the honest, hardworking man and says that such a man is "king" despite any poverty. The poem hopes for a future where all people see each other as equals regardless of rank or status.

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307 views1 page

"A Man's a Man for A' That" Poem

This poem argues that true worth is found in one's character, not in material things or social class. It celebrates the honest, hardworking man and says that such a man is "king" despite any poverty. The poem hopes for a future where all people see each other as equals regardless of rank or status.

Uploaded by

rev-clyde
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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  • Is There for Honest Poverty: The poem 'Is There for Honest Poverty' reflects on the nobility of character and humanity over material wealth, penned by Robert Burns.

"Is There for Honest Poverty", commonly known as "A Man's a Man for A' That", Robert Burns

(1795)

Is there for honest poverty Is there for honest poverty


That hings his head, an’ a’ that? That hangs his head, and all that?
The coward slave, we pass him by – The coward slave, we pass him by —
We dare be poor for a’ that! We dare be poor for all that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, For all that, and all that,
Our toils obscure, an’ a’ that, Our toils obscure, and all that,
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp, The rank is but the guinea’s stamp,
The man’s the gowd for a’ that. The man’s the gold for all that.

What though on hamely fare we dine, What though on homely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an’ a’ that? Wear course grey woolen, and all that?
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine – Give fools their silks, and knaves their wine —
A man’s a man for a’ that. A man is a man for all that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, For all that, and all that,
Their tinsel show, an’ a’ that, Their tinsel show, and all that,
The honest man, tho’ e’er sae poor, The honest man, though ever so poor,
Is king o’ men for a’ that. Is king of men for all that.

Ye see yon birkie ca’d ‘a lord,’ You see yonder fellow called ‘a lord,’
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that? Who struts, and stares, and all that?
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word, Though hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a cuif for a’ that. He is but a dolt for all that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, For all that, and all that,
His ribband, star, an’ a’ that, His ribboned, star, and all that,
The man o’ independent mind, The man of independent mind,
He looks an’ laughs at a’ that. He looks and laughs at all that.

A prince can mak a belted knight, A prince can make a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that! A marquis, duke, and all that!
But an honest man’s aboon his might – But an honest man is above his might —
Guid faith, he mauna fa’ that! Good faith, he must not fault that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, For all that, and all that,
Their dignities, an’ a’ that, Their dignities, and all that,
The pith o’ sense an’ pride o’ worth The pith of sense and pride of worth
Are higher rank than a’ that. Are higher rank than all that.

Then let us pray that come it may Then let us pray that come it may
(As come it will for a’ that) (As come it will for a’ that)
That Sense and Worth o’er a’ the earth That Sense and Worth over all the earth
Shall bear the gree an’ a’ that! Shall have the first place and all that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, For all that, and all that,
It’s comin yet for a’ that, It is coming yet for all that,
That man to man the world o’er That man to man the world over
Shall brithers be for a’ that. Shall brothers be for all that.

"Is There for Honest Poverty", commonly known as "A Man's a Man for A' That", Robert Burns (1795) Is there for honest poverty

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