Robert Burns 1794
Detailed analysis: https://www.bavarghese.com/Burns/.ÿ Old Blind Dogs: Is There For Honest Poverty
https://www.bavarghese.com/Burns/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRTP4NsTuFg
Is there, for honest poverty, That hangs his head, and a’ that? The coward slave, we pass him by, We dare be poor for a’ that! For a’ that, and a’ that, Our toils obscure and 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, and a’ that; Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, A man’s a man for a’ that: For a’ that, and a’ that, Their tinsel shew, and 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 and stares and a’ that; Tho’ hundreds worship at his word, He’s but a coof for a’ that: For a’ that, and a’ that, His ribband, star, and a’ that, The man o’ independent mind, He looks and laughs at a’ that. A prince can make a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a’ that; But an honest man’s aboon his might, Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that! For a’ that, and a’ that, Their dignities and a’ that; The pith o’ sense, and 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, and a’ that! For a’ that, and a’ that, It’s coming yet for a’ that, That man to man, the warld o’er, Shall brothers be for a’ that.