And a-Begging I Will Go (or the Begging Song)

Martin Carthy

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Original

LA VERSIONE SCOZZESE: To the Begging I Will Go - Ossian

AND A-BEGGING I WILL GO (OR THE BEGGING SONG)

Of all the trades in England the beggin' is the best
For when a beggar's tired he can lay him down and rest

And a-beggin' I will go
And a-beggin' I will go

I've a pocket for my oatmeal and another for my salt
I've a pair of little crutches that should see how I can bolt

And a-beggin' I will go
And a-beggin' I will go

There's patches on my fusty coat and a black patch on my eye
But when it comes to tuppenny ale I can see as well as thee

And a-beggin' I will go
And a-beggin' I will go

My britches they are no but holes but my heart is free of care
As long as I've my belly full my backside can go bare

And a-beggin' I will go
And a-beggin' I will go

I've been deaf at Duckinfield and I've been blind at Shaw
And many's the right and willing lass I've bedded in the straw

And a-beggin' I will go
And a-beggin' I will go

There's a bed for me where'er I lie and I don't pay no rent
I've got no noisy looms to mind and I am right content

And a-beggin' I will go
And a-beggin' I will go

I can rest when I am tired and I heed no master's bell
You men'd be daft to be a king when beggars live so well

And a-beggin' I will go
And a-beggin' I will go

Of all the trades in England the beggin' is the best
For when a beggar's tired he can lay him down and rest

TO THE BEGGING I WILL GO

Of all the trades that I do ken,
sure, the begging is the best
for when a beggar's weary
he can aye sit down and rest.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

And I'll gang tae the tailor
wi' a wab o' hoddin gray,
and gar him mak' a cloak for me
tae hap me night and day.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

An' I'll gang tae the cobbler
and I'll gar him sort my shoon
an inch thick tae the boddams
and clodded weel aboun.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

And I'll gang tae the tanner
and I'll gar him mak' a dish,
and it maun haud three ha'pens,
for it canna weel be less.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

And when that I begin my trade,
sure, I'll let my beard grow strang,
nor pare my nails this year or day
for beggars wear them lang.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

And I will seek my lodging
before that it grows dark
when each gude man is getting hame,
and new hame frae his work.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

And if begging be as good as trade,
and as I hope it may,
it's time that I was oot o' here
an' haudin' doon the brae.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

Of all the trades that I do ken,
sure, the begging is the best
for when a beggar's weary
he can aye sit down and rest.
Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,
tae the beggin' I will go.

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