Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/241

 A Man's a Man for a' That

(Scotland's most popular poet, 1759-1796)

Is there, for honest poverty, That hangs his head, and a' that? The coward slave, we pass him by, We daur be puir, 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 show and a' that, The honest man, though e'er sae puir, Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie, ca'ed a lord, Wha struts, and stares, and a' that; Though hundreds worship at his word, He's but a coof for a' that: For a' that, and a' that, His riband, star, and a' that; The man of independent mind, He looks and laughs at a' that.