This has been set to music, and you may have heard it sung. It is written in Ayrshire dialect, and English, but the sentiments expressed are universal.
In Verse One, Burns is saying that wealth, or lack of it,and social class should not be the measure of a man's true worth. " The rank is but the guinea's stamp" means that a person cannot be given a price. The man's character is the true gold.
Verse Two continues the theme. We may wear ordinary clothes, and eat simple food, but appearance is just a show, like tinsel. Honesty is worth more than fancy clothes.
Now Verse Three might have got Burns into some trouble in Edinburgh. The birkie (cool young guy) who struts around, and has the title of Lord, is only a coof (an idiot). The man who learns to think for himself is worth much more than that.
Verse Four continues this theme. Princes can hand out titles at will, but honesty and pure goodness are worth much more. Self respect doesn't come from inherited wealth or titles.
Verse Five is a prayer that Sense and Worth shall eventually agree with all mankind. Burns imagines a future world in which all people will live as brothers, in mutual trust and respect. "It's coming yet, for a' that". Well, it hasn't come yet Rabbie, but we live in hope.
Taken with kind permission from allpoetry.com/Column/1022511
Poem notes are by © Keith
But may freely be used for non-commercial or educational purposes.