Designed & produced by Eric Maclewis
© ericdentinger.com
2008-2024
A Man's A Man For A' That
(Robert Burns)
Is there for honest poverty
That hings 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 show 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 mak 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
Shall bear the gree and a' that
For a' that and a' that
It's coming yet for a' that
That man to man the world o'er
Shall brothers be for a' that
A Man's A Man For A' That
Published by Robert Burns in 1795, it has been sung during the reopening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
Played according to the tune Lady McIntosh's Reel - from Bremner's Reels (1759), chosen by R.Burns to fit his words.
The song, also known as Is There For Honest Poverty, is a standard for Burns nights.
I choosed to play it as a slow march (78 bpm), to keep the spirit of Burns song and of Burns dinners.
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- score written by Eric Maclewis with CelticPipes