Is there for honest poverty that hings it's head and a' that,
The coward slave we pass him by, we dare be puir for a' that.
For a' that and a' that. our toils obscure and a'that,
The rank is but the guinea stamp. the man's the gowd for a' that.
What though on hamely fare we dine, wear hodden grey and a' that,
Gie fools their silk 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 se yon birkie ca'd a lord, wha struts an' stares an' a' that,
Tho' hundreds worship at his word, he's but a cuif for a' that,
For a' that an' a' that, his ribband, star, an' a' that,
The man o' independant mind, he looks an' laughs at a' that.
A King can mak a belted knight, a marquis, duke and 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 of sense and pride of 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 coming yet for a' that'
That man to man the world o'er shall brithers be for a' that.
22 January 1999