And a-Begging I Will Go (or the Begging Song)
Martin CarthyOriginale | 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. |