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Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?

21 Mar 18 - 02:39 PM (#3912315)
Subject: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: Deckman

I'm trying to find the words, or find a link, to a Scots song that starts "A beggar, a beggar, Came 'ore yon lee, He was begging food, For charity ... "

Thanks for any help you can give me. bob(deckman)nelson


21 Mar 18 - 03:02 PM (#3912324)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: Steve Gardham

Child 279 Appendix. The Gaberlunyie Man. Middle of the 18th century. Printed in London but definitely Scots. Plenty of later oral versions.
Try Ian (Jock) Manuel. He certainly recorded it, probably a Scots traveller version.


21 Mar 18 - 03:09 PM (#3912327)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: gillymor

Malinky did a version called The Beggar Man.


21 Mar 18 - 04:34 PM (#3912342)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: GUEST,kenny

No shortage of versions of this, surely : version from the
"TANNAHILL WEAVERS"

A beggar a beggar came ower the lea
He was asking lodgings for charity
He was asking lodgings for charity
Would ye loo a beggar man
Lassie wi' my tow row ray

A beggar a beggar I'll ne'er loo again
I had ae dochter and Jeannie was her name
I had ae dochter and Jeannie was her name
She's awa' wi' the beggar man
Lassie wi' my tow row ray

I'll bend my back and I'll boo my knee
I'll put a black patch o'er my e'e
And a beggar a beggar they'll tak me tae be
And along wi yoo I'll gang
Laddie wi' my tow row ray

Oh lassie oh lassie you're far ower young
And ye hinnae got the cant o' the beggin tongue
And ye hinnae got the cant o' the beggin tongue
And wi' me ye winnae gang
Lassie wi' my tow row ray

She's bent her back and she's boo'd her knee
She's put a black patch o'er her e'e
And she's kilted her skirts up abune her knee
And awa' wi' him she's gan
Laddie wi' my tow row ray

Your dochter Jean's coming ower the lea
She's takin' hame her bairnies three
She has yin on her back aye and another on her knee
And the other yin's toddlin' hame
Lassie wi' my tow row ray


21 Mar 18 - 05:34 PM (#3912358)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: Deckman

Thank you folks ... Mud Cat scores yet again! bob(deckman)nelson


21 Mar 18 - 07:50 PM (#3912377)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: Tattie Bogle

And sung by Adam McCulloch (son of Gordeanna McCulloch) at our wee folk club (Almond Valley Folk Club) in West Calder just last night. Also look up the story of James V of Scotland going out disguised as a beggar man! Several songs referring to this habit of his!


22 Mar 18 - 04:19 AM (#3912401)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: Dave Sutherland

Ewan MacColl recorded this on "English and Scottish Ballads" (with A.L.Lloyd) - I believe that it is available on CD.


22 Mar 18 - 01:36 PM (#3912500)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: GUEST,Wee Jock

A version of this sang can be found in the song book Comes gies a Sang titled The Beggarman as sung by Robin Hutchinson, with all 18 verses. A version can be heard on the album Scots Muckle Sangs the singer i think is Jeannie Robertson which is where i first heard it. I am not sure if it has been transferred to CD format yet. If you wanted to purchase a copy then you might try Veteran Tapes or Springthyme Records or Music of Scotland online.

Cheers

Wee Jock


22 Mar 18 - 08:22 PM (#3912583)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Beggar' ... ?
From: Tattie Bogle

You can hear the Jeannie Robertson version here:
http://www.tobarandualchais.com/en/fullrecord/38040/4