More luck to honest poverty, It claims respect, and a' that;But honest wealth's a better thing, We dare be rich for a' that. For a' that, and a' that, And spooney cant and a' that, A man may have a ten-pun note. And be a brick for a' that.
What though on soup and fish we dine, Wear evening togs and a' that,A man may like good meat and wine, Nor be a knave for a' that. For a' that, and a' that, Their fustian talk and a' that, A gentleman, however clean. May have a heart for a' that.
You see yon prater called a Beales, Who bawls and brays and a' that,Tho' hundreds cheer his blatant bosh, He's but a goose for a' that. For a' that, and a' that, His Bubblyjocks, and a' that, A man with twenty grains of sense, He looks and laughs at a' that.
A prince can make a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a' that.And if the title's earned, all right, Old England's fond of a' that. For a' that, and a' that, Beales' balderdash, and a' that, A name that tells of service done Is worth the wear, for a' that.
Then let us pray that come it may And come it will for a' that,That common sense may take the place Of common cant and a' that. For a' that, and a' that, Who cackles trash and a' that, Or be he lord, or be he low, The man's an ass for a' that.
