Well, I am a little beggarman, a begging I have been For three score or more in the little isle of green All over the Liffey and down to Segue I'm known by the name of auld Johnny Dhu
Of all the trades a going, begging is the best When a man gets tired he can sit down and rest Singin' for his supper when there's nothing else to do When I come around the corner with me old rigadoo
I went to a barn, went down to Currabawn Got down on the floor and I slept till the dawn Holes in the roof and the rain seeping thru 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 will find by and by Buy a pair of leggings and I'll color them blue For a foxy old lady I'll make her too
I met a little flaxen haired girl one day Good morning little flaxen haired girl, I did say Good morning little beggarman how do you do With your bags and your rags and your auld rigadoo
Who should I waken but the woman of the house With her white spotted apron and her calico blouse She began to frighten so I said boo Sure, don't be afraid, it's only Johnny Dhu
Over the road with me pack on me back Over all the fields with me big heavy sack Over the hills with the moon peeking through Singing, skin a ma rink a doodle on me auld rigadoo
I must be going to bed, it's getting late at night The fire is all out, so out goes the light Now you've heard the story of the auld rigadoo So good night and God be with you, this is auld Johnny Dhu