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 tho' on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin-gray, 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 riband, star, an' a' that,
The man o' independent mind,
He looks and 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,
Guid faith he mauna 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,
May bear the gree, an' a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's coming yet, for a' that,
That man to man, the warld o'er,
Shall brothers be for a' that.
--Robert Burns (1759-1796), national poet of Scotland. January 25 is his birthday, and tonight is "Burns' Night," in which he is remembered and his work (and all things Scots) are celebrated. Image is a typical tenant farmer, or cottar, house. This poem, written in 1795, was one of Burns's last.
hings=hangs
guinea's stamp= face on a guinea coin, worth 21 shillings, or 1.05 pounds; a guinea was paid to gentlemen, while pounds were paid to tradesmen
gowd=gold
hamely=homely
hodden grey=rough woolen cloth
sae=so
yon birkie=arrogant dude over there
ca'd=called
coof=fool
aboon=above
guid=good
mauna fa'=must not come by
pith=strength, vigor
bear the gree=win first place
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