Little Beggarman Songtext

And I'm known by the name of the Bold Johnnie Dhu



My brother called "The Jolly Beggar" tripped over the plain



He comes unto the farmer's doors a lodging for a gain



Sometimes the farmers' daughter views him cheek and chin



And calls him a handsome man and takes him in


Of all trades a going sure the begging is the best



For when a man is tired he can sit down and rest



He begs for his dinner, he has nothing else to do



But to slip around the corner with his old rigadoo





I slept last night in a barn in Currabawn



T' was a shocking wet night but I slept until the dawn



Holes in a roof and the rain coming through



And the rats and the cats were all playing peek-a-boo



Oh when I was awaken by the woman of the house



With her white spotted apron and her fine gingham blouse



She began to frighten, all I said was: "Boo"



Don't be afraid, cause it's only Johnny Dhu





I met a little flaxen-haired girl on day



"Good morning, little flaxen-haired girl" I did say



"Good morning, little beggarman, and how do you do



With your rags and your tags and your old rigadoo?"



"I'll buy pair of leggins and a collar and a tie



And a nice young lady I'll go courting by and by



I'll buy a pair of goggles and I'll colour them blue



And an old-fashioned lady I will make her too





So all along the highroad with my bag upon my back



And over the fields with my heavy bulging sack



Holes in my shoes and the toes peeping through



Singing "Skin-ma-link-a-dooddle" with my old rigadoo



Oh I must be gone to bed now for it's getting late at night



The fire's all raked and there isn't any light



For now you've heard the story of my old rigadoo



So good night and God be with you from old Johnny Dhu