Little Beggarman

from In The Old Style by Ginger Ackley

/

about

“The Little Beggarman” is a familiar tune, if you are a fan of Irish reels: “Red Haired Boy.” In its sung version, it is one of the tongue twisters that Irish traditional songs do best. The tale is about the classic Tinker or Traveling Man, Johnny Dhu, and some of his adventures being footloose and fancy free in his native land. There seems to be some debate about what exactly a “rigadoo” is... Is it his worldly possessions? His way of life? Or maybe it is a little dance step to get him out of a tight situation!

lyrics

Oh, I am a little beggarman, a-beggin' I have been
For three score years in this little isle of green
I am known along the Liffey from the Basin to the Zoo
And everybody calls me by the name of Johnny Dhu.
Of all the trades a-goin' sure the beggin' is the best
For when a man is tired he can sit him down and rest
He can beg for his dinner - he has nothing else to do
But to slip around the corner with his ould rigadoo. (That's Johnny Dhu!)

I slept in a barn one night in Currabawn,
And a shocking wet night it was - I slept till the dawn
There was holes in the roof and the rain was pourin' 'thru
And the rats and the cats were all playing tinka-boo
Who did awaken but the woman of the house
With her white-spotted apron and her calico blouse
She began to get excited and all I said was Boo!
Sure and don't you be afraid at all, its only Johnny Dhu (That's Johnny Dhu!)

I met a little girl when a walkin' out one day
Good mornin', little flaxen-haired girl, I did say
Good mornin', little beggarman, and how do you do
With your rags and your tags and your ould rigadoo
I'll buy a pair of leggins and a collar and a tie
And a nice young lady I'll go courtin' by and bye
I'll buy a pair of goggles and I'll color them with blue
And an ould-fashioned lady I will make her too! (That's Johnny Dhu!)

So all along the high road with my bag upon my back
Over the fields with me bulgin' heavy sack
With holes in me shoes and me toes a peepin' through
Singin' skill-a-mack-a-doodle with my auld rigadoo
Oh, I must be off' to bed for it's getting late at nite
The fire's all raked and now 'tis out the light
Now you've heard my story of my ould rigadoo
So good-night and God be with you, says ould Johnny Dhu. (That's Johnny Dhu!)

credits

from In The Old Style, released March 1, 2012

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ginger Ackley image

Ginger Ackley Cleveland, Ohio

Starting out in Texas, Ginger made it to Ohio as quickly as she could! Her music is full of magic and stories, seasoned with a love of folk and Celtic music. Her penny whistles often accompany her, too!

contact / help

Contact Ginger Ackley

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Ginger Ackley recommends:

If you like Ginger Ackley, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now