I used to play it in D capoed up to the third fret making it F but transposed the chords I used were. The minor chords were quite effective but of course I was playing an Am which has the minor third on the second string giving a different sound than Dm where it is on the first string - if you play them in the first position. Nice song and there is a North East song to the same tune I think called the Jovial Collier.

I (G) am a little beggarman, a begging I have (C) been
For (G) three score years in this (Dm) little isle of (F)green
I'm (G) known along the Liffey from the Basin to the (C) Zoo
And (G) everybody calls me by the name of (C) John(D)ny (G) Dhu

Of (Dm) all the trades a going, sure the (F)begging is the best
For (G) when a man is tired he can (Dm) sit him down and (F) rest
He can (G) beg for his dinner, he has nothing else to (C) do
But to (G) slip around the corner with his (C)old r(D)iga(G)doo