Is there for honesty poverty
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 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, 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 ribband, star, 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 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,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's comin yet for a' that
That man to man, the world o'er,
Shall brithers be for a' that.
Notes
This has been set to music, and you may have heard it sung. It is written in Ayrshire dialect, and English, but the sentiments expressed are universal.
In Verse One, Burns is saying that wealth, or lack of it,and social class should not be the measure of a man's true worth. " The rank is but the guinea's stamp" means that a person cannot be given a price. The man's character is the true gold.
Verse Two continues the theme. We may wear ordinary clothes, and eat simple food, but appearance is just a show, like tinsel. Honesty is worth more than fancy clothes.
Now Verse Three might have got Burns into some trouble in Edinburgh. The birkie (cool young guy) who struts around, and has the title of Lord, is only a coof (an idiot). The man who learns to think for himself is worth much more than that.
Verse Four continues this theme. Princes can hand out titles at will, but honesty and pure goodness are worth much more. Self respect doesn't come from inherited wealth or titles.
Verse Five is a prayer that Sense and Worth shall eventually agree with all mankind. Burns imagines a future world in which all people will live as brothers, in mutual trust and respect. "It's coming yet, for a' that". Well, it hasn't come yet Rabbie, but we live in hope.
Taken with kind permission from allpoetry.com/Column/1022511
Poem notes are by © Keith
But may freely be used for non-commercial or educational purposes.
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Comments
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A Man's a Man...
From guest Peggi Pelzer (contact)
When he was about twenty, our son took himself on a trip to England, Ireland and Scotland. As a gift when he came home, he gave me a small, glass tray decorated with a portrait of Robert Burns, what is probably the Scotish national flower (don't know what it is) and the last four lines of this poem. Thank you for having the complete work, which is beautiful although difficult to "translate," and for the wonderful "translation." -
From guest waveney klaiber (contact)
This didactic and endearing poem has stood the test of time and remains so very relevant in the field of education and indeed, society at large. -
Excellent Notes
From guest Jeremy Bowman (contact)
A profound and well-written analysis in the Notes that follow the verses. Very well done. -
According to my Scots dictionary, 'bear the gree' means 'take first place'. Thanks for making me look it up - I never knew what it meant either.
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COOOOl
Wat a awesome poem love it ......................... -
a man's a man
From guest rob lynn (contact)
Great explanation. I just spent the last two weekends celebrating Burns 250th birthday and am currently listening to Jim Malcolm's "Acquaintance", a nice collection of Burns poem/songs. One question- do you have a reasonable translation for "shall bear the gree" (verse 5)? That line has always bothered me. Possibly "shall be agreeable" shall become respected? -
wonderful..a meaningful set of verses so true to that day as to this when the constant challenge is to the dignity of people, by lack of peace or recognition of inherent worth, love the rhythm of the phrasing...the refrain -like 'an a' that...lyrical and powerful...PK
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Guid stuff frae the young gauger!
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This stirring statement on the value of a man for what he is and not for what he has is rightly praised, printed and performed around the world.
If only people actually took to heart it's message and valued a persons true worth rather than their wealth and celebrity. The sort of people Burns is talking about are much better role models for future generations than some of those that strut across our screens and papers.
Jim -
A Man's A Man For A' That
From guest Mick McNamara (contact)
The Corries did an excellent version of this song. Reminds me of Thomas Paine, I love it. -
Error in need of correction!
There is a lime missing in the last stanza. Just count them!!!!
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.
Please be so kind as to correct. -
Aye he's still a man for aw that...and aw that...hes still a man for aw that!
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"A man's a man for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,"
Words are in the well tuned melody form...and the basic thought or the message is very nice.... for all that and for all that...Burns can play the clarinet through his words...very beautiful poem...I love the rhythm and the flow...
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I don't think you can quite get the feel of this unless you've heard it read with the accent. Either way this was such a daring poem for his time, well recieved on one hand. I'm glad it's poseted in the original, I've seen it in modern english and it certainly takes away. It's a shame his ideal can't be reached but after all it is impractical. Still a lovly poem.
Curtain
Ladie -
"Is there for honesty poverty
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, "
this is too realistic n melodious___ its a beauty!!!!!!
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