Robert Burns 'A Mans a Man for A' That'

A Man's a Man for A' That
by Robert Burns 1795
read by David Rintoul
rnaudioproductions for http://www.ipodity.com/
http://www.allcast.co.uk/

Is there for honest 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 hodding grey, an a' that?
Gie fools their skills, 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 cuif 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 marquis, duke, an 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 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 coming yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world, o'er
Shall brithers be for a' that.

Audio created by Robert Nichol AudioProductions all rights reserved

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[JustAudio2008]

I like this one -its strong.

A man's poem

Thanks for your comment

[mlewsimpson51]

It's not just about men, but about people. We're not slaves, we're not a man, or a person, for the "guinnea's stamp" of rank, but all the world over brother's be. Then again, maybe I'm wrong or had a wee dram too many. :-) Mike

[JustAudio2008]

I agree - but remember, Women had not been invented at this point.

They were just sweet things who stayed at home.

just a thought??

[Arcadiandrew]

Och! A socialist might be a good modern way of putting it. Try a supporter of the Labour party, perhaps. Or just a Scot.

Scots have never been known to be afraid to speak their mind. Before or since Burns's days.

[Stonegolem42]

Poetry is usually eclectic enough for the reader to be able to take it as he or she likes it. That's what makes it poetry.

I can't stand the poetry of Shakespeare or of Milton; each had a good grasp of the mechanics of the language, but that's not what makes a poem good in my eyes. It is impossible to pinpoint who is the greatest poet by some technical standard because we're talking about POETRY, not laying pipe.

"Greatest poet" is an opinion. I say Burns, you say Milton, we're both right.

[plgeis]

Ah, Burns knew women had been invented . . .

[sourbabies]

To summarize: an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that an a' that an a'that an a'that.

[PunkPandaXxx]

of mice and men

[emcgallowglass]

The revolution approaches, for aw that.

[SNAPSLIMJIM]

eddie shamah for a that

[annikee59]

A moral for our times.

[youdube01]

A Republican...? I seriously doubt that...try socialist...it fits better.

[GuitarBhoy76]

In Burns' day this must have been dangerous stuff: critical of the establishment while praising the common man. Was Burns a republican?

[CaptainKubla]

Hmmm. Point taken. Who wants to rip the throat out of a Nightingale? The Twelve Bar Scale does not make the Blues, either. I understand that, but never let it be said that the Bard, Milton or Keats had no feeling........Their poetry will prove you wrong time and again. I note that you are an American. I am a fan of Walt Whitman. You do realise how many colloquialisms you owe to Shakespeare, aye? But like you say, each to their own. I like that, we are indeed both right.