|
Well, I am a little beggarman, a begging I have been |
|
For three score or more in the little isle of green |
|
All over the Liffey and down to Segue |
|
I'm known by the name of auld Johnny Dhu |
|
Of all the trades a going, begging is the best |
|
When a man gets tired he can sit down and rest |
|
Singin' for his supper when there's nothing else to do |
|
When I come around the corner with me old rigadoo |
|
I went to a barn, went down to Currabawn |
|
Got down on the floor and I slept till the dawn |
|
Holes in the roof and the rain seeping thru |
|
Me toes froze together in me little beggar shoes |
|
Buy a pair of leggings and a collar and a tie |
|
A nice old lady you will find by and by |
|
Buy a pair of leggings and I'll color them blue |
|
For a foxy old lady I'll make her too |
|
(Way-hay and away we go) |
|
I met a little flaxen haired girl one day |
|
Good morning little flaxen haired girl, I did say |
|
Good morning little beggarman how do you do |
|
With your bags and your rags and your auld rigadoo |
|
Who should I waken but the woman of the house |
|
With her white spotted apron and her calico blouse |
|
She began to frighten so I said boo |
|
Sure, don't be afraid, it's only Johnny Dhu |
|
Over the road with me pack on me back |
|
Over all the fields with me big heavy sack |
|
Over the hills with the moon peeking through |
|
Singing, skin a ma rink a doodle on me auld rigadoo |
|
I must be going to bed, it's getting late at night |
|
The fire is all out, so out goes the light |
|
Now you've heard the story of the auld rigadoo |
|
So good night and God be with you, this is auld Johnny Dhu |