The Jolly Beggarman
Traditional
Of all the trades a going, sure the begging is the best,
for when a man is tired he can sit him down and rest.
He can beg for his dinner, he has nothing else to do
but to slip around the corner with his old rigadoo.
I am a little beggarman, a begging I have been
for three score years in this little isle of green
I'm known along the Liffey from the Basin to the Zoo
and everybody calls me by the name of Johnny Dhu.
I slept in a barn one night in Currabawn,
a shocking wet night it was but I slept until the dawn.
There were holes in the roof and the raindrops coming thru
and the rats and the cats were a playing peek a boo.
Who did I waken but the woman of the house
with her white spotted apron and her calico blouse.
She began to frighten and I said “boo”
sure don't be afraid at all, it's only Johnny Dhu.
I met a little girl while a walkin out one day,
good morrow little flaxen haired girl, I did say.
Good morrow little beggarman and how do you do,
with your rags and your tags and your auld rigadoo.
O I must be going to bed for it's getting late at night.
The fire is all raked and now tis out of light.
For now you've heard the story of my auld rigadoo.
So good and God be with you, from auld Johnny Dhu.
