Little Beggarman Arlo Guthrie

Traditional, adapted
By Arlo Guthrie

I am a little Beggar and a Beggar I have been
For three score'are more in this little Isle of green
And I'm known from the Liffy down to Segue
And I'm known by the name of bold Donahue

Of all the trades a-goin' now sure beggin is the best
When a man gets tired he can lay him down to rest
He can beg for his dinner when there's nothing left to do
Then just cut around the corner with his old Rigadoo

I slept in a barn way down in Curabawn
A-waitin' in for the mornin' I slept till the dawn
With the holes in the roof and the rain a-comin' through
And the cats and the rats they were playin' peeka-boo

Who should awaken but the woman of the house
With here white spotted apron and her calico blouse
She began to frighten when I said boo!
Sayin' don't be afraid ma'am it's old Johnny Dhu

I met a little flaxy haired girl one day
Good morning little flaxy haired girl I say
Good morning little Beggar Man and how do you do
With your rags and your tags and your old Rigaioo