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The Jolly Beggar

England and Scotland.
Words date back to 1730, England.
Later Scottish versions became linked with James V of Scotland,
who used to wander about in disguise,
and who seems to have had an eye for the ladies.
This tune is from Scotland.


    It's of a jolly beggar man came tripping o'er the plain,
    He came unto a farmer's door, a lodging for to gain.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    The farmer he came out to see, he looked the man around,
    Says he, For ragged beggar men no lodging here is found.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    The daughter, she came down the stair, and viewed him cheek and chin,
    And said, He is a handsome man, I pray you take him in.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    He would not lie within the barn, nor yet within the byre,
    But he would in the corner lie, down by the kitchen fire.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    O then the beggar's bed was made with good clean sheets and hay,
    And down beside the kitchen fire the jolly beggar lay.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    The farmer's daughter, she got up to bar the kitchen door,
    And there she met the beggar standing naked on the floor.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    He took the daughter in his arms and to the bed he ran,
    Kind sir, be easy now, she says, you'll waken our goodman.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    She lay as still as any mouse, as if she had been dead,
    He gave her kisses two or three and stole her maidenhead.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    I'm sure you are no beggar, you are some gentleman,
    For you have stole my maidenhead, and I am quite undone.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    I am no squire, I am no lord, of beggars I be one,
    And beggars they be robbers all, and so you are undone.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.

    She took the bed in both her hands and threw it at the wall,
    Says, Go you with the beggar man, my maidenhead and all.

    Chorus:
         And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
         And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
         And we'll go no more a-roving.




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