The Beggar Man Songtext
von John Strachan

A beggar man came o′er the lea, a-looking out for charity
A-looking out for charity, will you lodge a beggar man?
Laddle-e-oh, tow-row-ree
Down by the fireside, the auld man sat
He cast his meal-bowls off his back
He cast the meal-bowls off his back and ay he lilted and sang
Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree
"Oh lassie, oh lassie, ye are too young
Ye hae na the knock o' the biggin-tongue
Ye hae na the knock o′ the biggin-tongue and wi' me ye canna gang
Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree." "I'll bend my back and bow my knee
I′ll put a black patch on my ee
And for a beggar they′ll take me, and awa' wi′ you I'll gang
Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree." Early next morning the auld
Wife arose, and at her leisure she put on her clothes
Saying to the servant, bed she goes, to spare for the silly poor man
Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree
She got to the bed where the beggar lay
The straw was cauld and he was away
She clapped her hands, cried, "Whilie day, is there any


Of your gude gear again?" Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree
The servant got where the doctor lay
The sheets were cauld and she was away
And fast to the good wife she did say, "He′s away
With the beggar man." Ladle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree
Some rode on horseback and some rode on foot
Ah, but the auld wife, she was na fit
She hirpelled about fae hip to hip and ay she curst and bant
Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree
When years had passed some twa or three, the same beggar but
Came o'er yon lee, saying, "Good wife, for your courtesy
Will you lodge a silly poor man?" Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree
"A beggar, a beggar I′ll never lodge again
I had na dauth erbidie na my ain
And awa' wi' the beggar man she′s gaan and ha daena
Ken whence nor whaur." Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree
Oh auld wifey, auld wifie, what would
Ye gie for a sechty or deen to see?
A bairn on her back and anither at her
Knee and anither at the road going hame
Laddle-ee-oh, tow-row-ree