A Woman’s A Woman

A Burns Interpretation for International Women’s Day

Is there, for honest poverty,
That hangs her head, an’ a’ that?
The coward slave, we pass her 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 woman’s the gowd for a’ that,
	
What tho’ on hamely fare we dine, 	
Wear hoddin-gray, an’ a’ that; 
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, 
A woman’s a woman for a’ that. 
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, 
Their tinsel show an’ a’ that; 
The honest woman, tho’ e’er sae poor, 
Is queen o’ a’,  for a’ that. 
See yon birkie, ca’d a lord 
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that; 
Tho’ hunners worship at his word, 
He’s but a coof for a’ that: 
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, 
His riband, star, an’ a’ that, 
The woman o’ independent mind, 
She looks and laughs at a’ that. 
A prince can mak a belted knight, 
A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that; 
But an honest woman’s aboon his might, 
Guid faith she 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.