Tune Req: There Was an Old Beggar

Subject: RE: Tune Req: There Was an Old Beggar
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 10:16 AM

It's also listed as an extra verse to TURKEY IN THE STRAW 2.

There is more information in these threads: Lyr Req: There Was an Old Soldier and Lyr Add: you'll always have tobacco.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: There Was an Old Begger
From: GUEST,Me
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 10:19 AM

The 17th century tune called "The begqar with the wooden leg" was
that better known as "A-Begging we will go". An ABC of the tune
is B027 among the broadside ballad tunes at www.erols.com/olsonw

Subject: RE: Tune Req: There Was an Old Begger
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 08:23 AM

see The Geezer and the Guiser in the DT. This is what we found for a tune for that...


X:1
T:THE GEEZER AND THE GUISER
I:abc2nwc
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:C
z3EE|AGAB cBcd|e2ec d2cd|e e A A AcBA|
G2E E E2|z3EE|AGAB cBcd|e2(ec) d2(cd)|
e e A A AcBA|G2E E E2z2|
K:G
gedB G2cd|e e e4d d B2|A6

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE WAS AN OLD BEGGAR
From: BGallagher
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 06:12 AM

Hi. I am looking for the tune origin of a folk song my Grandpa sang when I was little. I have found similar lyrics under different tunes, but I haven't been able to find them to the tune I've always heard it sung to. The lyrics are:

There was an old beggar
He had a wooden leg
He had no tobacco no tobacco could he beg

Another old beggar
As cunning as a fox
And he always had tobacco in his old tobacco box

Said the one old beggar
"Won't you give me a chew"
Said the other old beggar
"I'll be danged if I do"

Just save up your pennies
And lay 'em on the rocks
And you'll always have tobacco in your old tobacco box


I was wondering on the origin of the song and if anyone knows the tune I've always heard it sung to. I've found the lyrics here, but the tunes they go with don't match the tune I know. I'd love to know where this song came from. My Grandfather's Grandfather used to sing it to him, so I know it must date back to the post civil war times at least. Please help.

Thanks,

Brenda Gallagher