A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT.

Southland Times, Issue 587, 5 November 1866, Page 3

A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT.

A NEW VEBSION. " A man's a man," says Robert Burns, " For a' that and a' that ;" But though the song be clear and strong, It lacks a note for a' that. The lout who'd shrrk his daily "work, Yet claim his wage and a' that, Or beg, when he might earn his bread, Is not a man for a' that. If all who dine on homely fare Were true and brave and a' that, And none whose garb is " hodden grey," Was fool or knave, and a' that, The vice and crime that shame our time Would fade and fail and a' thit, And ploughmen be as good as kings, And churls as earls for a' that. You see yon brawny, blustering sot, Who swaggers, swears, and a' that, And tliinks because his strong right arm, Might fell an ox and a' that, That he's as noble, man for man, As duke or lord and a' that, He's but a brute, beyond dispute, And not a man for a' that. A man may own a large estate, Have palace, park and a' that, And not for birth, but honest worth Be thrice a man for a' that ; And Donald herding on the muir, Wlio beats his wife and a' that, Be nothing but a rascal boor, Nor half a man for a' that. It comes to this, dear Robert Burns — The truth is old, aud a' that — " The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The man's the gold, for a' that ; And though you'd put the minted mark On copper, brass, and a' that." The lie is gross, the cheat is plain, And will not pass for a' that. For a' that, and a that, 'Tis soul and heart and a' that, That makes the king a gentleman, And not his crown and a' that. And man with man, if rich or poor, The best is he for a' that, Who stands erect, in seif-respect, And acts the man for a' that. CteitaM MacsJlY.