O' a' the trades I do ken. The beggin' is the best, For when a beggar's weary He can aye sit doon an' rest, Chorus - Tae the beggin' I will go, will go, tae the beggin' I will go.
It's I'll gyang tae the cobbler An' gar him sort my shoon ; An inch thick tae the boddam An' clooted weel abune.
An' I will tae the greasy cook, Frae him I'll buy a hat, Weel press'd and weather-beaten, An' glitt'rin ower wi' fat.
An' I will tae the tailor, Wi' a wab o' hodden gray, An' gar him mak' a cloak for me, Will hap me nicht and day.
An' yet ere I begin my trade, I'll let my beard grow strang ; Nor pare my nails this year or day For the beggars wear them lang.
I'll pit nae watter on my hands As little on my face ; For still the lowner like I am, The mair my trade I'll grace.
When I come tae a fairm-toon I'll say wi' hat in hand ; "Will the beggar-man get quarters here ? Alas, I canna stand."
An' when they're a' come in aboot It's then I'll start tae sing. An' dae my best tae gar them lauch A' roon aboot the ring.
If there's a wedding in the toon ; I'll airt me tae be there ; An' pour my kindest benisons Upon the happy pair.
An' some will give me beef an' breid, An' some will give me cheese ; An' oot an' in amang the folk, I'll gaither the bawbees.
If beggin' be as good as trade An' as I hope it may, It's time that I was oot o' here An' haudin doon the brae.