A Man's A Man for A' That

A wee tribute to The Bard on his birthday. The text is from the dedication of his 1787 collection of poems, extracted from The Complete Works of Robert Burns.
The song, "Is There for Honest Poverty", is better known as "A Man's a Man for A' That". It was sung at the state opening of the new Scottish Parliament. 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 hodden grey, an a' that? Gie fools their silks, 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.

Category:

Music

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• Man's
• Man
• For
• A'
• That
• Robert
• Rabbie
• Burns
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• drumchapel

[Forest1239879]

Did Burns write the song, aswell as the lyrics?

[drumfisk]

No, he set his lyrics to a 'traditional' folk melody. This is a modern arrangement, but the melody is unchanged.

[sasukeisthemoprince]

Hey this was brilliant who was this rendition by?

[drumfisk]

This version is by The McCalmans.

[jamesbyker]

thanks .canny say any more...but great song..who wrote the lyrics...

[drumfisk]

Robert Burns :)He is regarded as a poet, but a great number of his 'poems' were actually written as songs.

[jollyroger1990]

The honest man, tho e'er sae poor, is king o men for a' that.

[ConCon75]

Makes me so happy to hear this.

I hope Scotland gets independence soon, although i was born there i feel more N.Irish (Ulster Scots) I hope our wee country follows ye's out the Union.

But nae to unite with tha rest o' Ireland coz that bollocks

[dulcinaandgnome]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful ode to humanity.

Burns, a man for all seasons, a defender of liberty and equality.

:)

[fivenaumans]

3:10 Where is that picture from? I've seen it fairly often. Who took the picture, and who is in it?

[MarvellousMuffin]

@DonegalRaymie201

I have to say that I would be quite embarassed if Flower of Scotland represented Scotland officially.

[DonegalRaymie201]

@MarvellousMuffin

It may be yet, if yous have any sense, and no that terrible dirge "Flower of Scotland"!

Can ye no imagine your National sides lift after singing this man??

[jsberks]

Socialist Great Britain!

[MarvellousMuffin]

This should have been our national anthem.

[MegaHappygrandma]

We are all "JOCK TAMSONS BAIRNS " and proud to be Celts so sad you cannot discuss a true talent without bringing Religion into the equation ....

[MegaHappygrandma]

We are all "JOCK TAMSONS BAIRNS " and proud to be Celts so sad you cannot discuss a true talent without bringing Religion into the equation ....