Traditional, adapted
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by Arlo Guthrie
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I am a little Beggar and a Beggar I have been
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For three score'r more in this little Isle of green
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And I'm known from the Liffy down to Segue
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And I'm known by the name of bold Donahue
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Of all the trades a-goin' now sure beggin is the best
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When a man gets tired he can lay him down to rest
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He can beg for his dinner when there's nothing left to do
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Then just cut around the corner with his old Rigadoo
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I slept in a barn way down in Curabawn
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A-waitin' in for the mornin' I slept till the dawn
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With the holes in the roof and the rain a-comin' through
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And the cats and the rats they were playin' peeka-boo
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Who should awaken but the woman of the house
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With here white spotted apron and her calico blouse
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She began to frighten when I said boo!
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Sayin' don't be afraid ma'am it's old Johnny Dhu.
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I met a little flaxy haired girl one day,
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Good morning little flaxy haired girl I say
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Good morning little Beggar Man and how do you do
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With your rags and your tags and your old Rigaioo
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Buy a pair of leggings and a collar and a be
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And a nice big lady I will fetch by and by
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Buy a pair of goggles and I'll color them blue
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And an old fashioned lady I will make her too
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Over the fields with the pack on my back
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Over the field with my great heavy sack
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With the holes in my shoes and the toes a'peekin' through
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Singin' skittilee rink-a-doodle it's the old Johnny Dhu
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Must be going to bed boys, it's gettin' late at night
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All the fire's all raked and up goes the light
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And now you've heard the story of my old Rigadoo
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It's "Good-bye God be with you' sings the old Johnny Dhu.
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Little Beggar Man
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| Arlo Guthrie |
