Well, I am a little beggar man, a-begging I have been
With a wee score more and a little of the green
Over the Liffey and down to Seghu
I'm known by the name of old Johnny Dhu
Of all the trades a-going, begging is the best
When a man is tired he can sit down and rest
Sing for his supper when there's nothing else to do
When I come around the corner with me old raggadhu
Hi de diddle i de diddly i de di
Diddly ooh di diddly i a diddly i de da
Diddly i a diddly i a diddly i de di
Diddly ooh da diddly diddle doo di da
I went to a barn way down in Carrabawn
Got down on the floor and I slept 'til the dawn
Holes in the roof and the rain seeping through
Me toes froze together in me little beggar shoes
Buy a pair of leggings and a collar and a tie
A nice old lady you'll find by and by
Buy a pair of leggings and a collar damn blue
For a foxy old lady, I'll make her do
(hey, hey and away we go)
I met a little foxy-haired girl one day
"Good mornin', little foxy-haired girl" I'd say
"Good mornin' little beggarman, how do you do
With your bags and your rags and your old raggadhu"
Who should awaken but the woman of the house
With a white spotted apron and a calico blouse
She began to frighten, so I said "Boo!
S***, don't be afraid, it's old Johnny Dhu"
Over the road with me pack on me back
Over the hills with me big heavy sack
Over the hills with the moon peeping through
Singing "skinny riggadhu la me old raggadhu"
I must be goin' to bed, it's getting late at night
The fire's all out, so out goes the light
And now you've heard the story of the old raggadhu
Good night and God be with you, this is old Johnny Dhu
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