I am a little beggarman, a begging I have been

For three score years in this little isle of green

I'm known along the Liffey from the Basin to the Zoo

And everybody calls me by the name of Johnny Dhu.

Of all the trades a going, sure the begging is the best

For when a man is tired he can sit him down and rest

He can beg for his dinner, he has nothing else to do

But to slip around the corner with his old rigadoo.



I slept in a barn one night in Currabawn

A shocking wet night it was, but I slept until the dawn

There was holes in the roof and the raindrops coming thru

And the rats and the cats were a playing peek a boo.



Who did I waken but the woman of the house

With her white spotted apron and her calico blouse

She began to frighten and I said boo

Sure, don't be afraid at all, it's only Johnny Dhu.



I met a little girl while a walkin out one day

Good morrow little flaxen haired girl, I did say

Good morrow little beggarman and how do you do

With your rags and your tags and your auld rigadoo.



I'll buy a pair of leggins and a collar and a tie

And a nice young lady I'll go courting by and by

I'll buy a pair of goggles and I'll color them with blue

And an old fashioned lady I will make her too.



So all along the high road with my bag upon my back

Over the fields with my bulging heavy sack

With holes in my shoes and my toes a peeping thru

Singing, skin a ma rink a doodle with my auld rigadoo.



O I must be going to bed for it's getting late at night

The fire is all raked and now tis out of light

For now you've heard the story of my auld rigadoo

So good and God be with you, from auld Johnny Dhu.