Scottish Songs - Lyrics and Melodies 
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The Beggar Man

Melody - Seq. by Ron Clarke

Ca. 1724

A beggar man came o'er yon lea
With many good e'ens and good days to me
Saying Good-wife for your charity
Will you lodge a beggar man?

Chorus
Lassie to my tow roo ray!

2. The night was cold, the carl was wet
And down ayont the ingle he sat
The daughter's shoulders he 'gan to clap
And cadgily ranted and sang.
Chorus

3. And O, quoth he, if you were as black
As e'er the crown of my daddy's hat
Tis I would lay thee on my back
And away with me thou should gang.
Chorus

4. And O, quoth she, if I were as white
As e'er the snow lay on the dyke
I'd clothe me braw and ladylike
And away with thee I'd gang.
Chorus

5. O lassie, lassie, you're far too young
And you haven't the cant of the begging tongue
You haven't the cant of the begging tongue
And with me you cannot gang.
Chorus

6. I'll bow my back and crook my knee
And draw a black clout on my eye
And for a beggar they'll take me
And we shall be merry and sing.
Chorus

7. Between the two they made a plot
To rise an hour before the cock
And wilily they slipped the lock
And through the fields they ran.
Chorus

8. Up in the morn the old wife rose
And leisurely put on her clothes
Then to the servant's bed she goes
To speer for the silly poor man.
Chorus

9. She went to the bed where the beggar lay
The straw was cold and he was away
She clapped her hands crying Welladay
For some of our gear'll be gone.
Chorus

10. Some ran to the coffers and some to the kists
But nought was stolen that could be missed
She danced her lane, cried Praise be blessed
I've lodged an honest man.
Chorus

11. Since nothing's away that we can learn
The kye are to milk and the milk's to churn
Go but the house, lass, and waken the bairn
And bid her come quickly ben.
Chorus

12. The servant went where the daughter lay
The sheets were cold and she was away
And fast to the good wife she did say
She's away with the beggar man.
Chorus

13. Some rode on horse, some ran on foot
The wife was wood and out of her wit
She could not gang nor yet could she sit
And aye she cursed and she banned.
Chorus

14. When years had passed some two or three
The same old beggar came o'er the lea
Says, Good-wife for your charity
Will you lodge a beggar man?
Chorus

15. A beggar I'll ne'er lodge again
For I never had a daughter but ane
And away with a beggar she has gane
And I cannot tell where nor when.
Chorus

16. O yonder she's coming o'er yon lea
With many a fine tale to tell to thee
And she's got a baby on her knee
And another in her wame.
Chorus

 Scottish Songs - Lyrics and Melodies 
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