A Beggar Man- Strachen (OK) pre-1925 Moores
[This was collected when Mary Strachen lived in Tulsa but she moved to Oklahoma in 1925 from Canada- originally she was from Grange, Banffshire, Scotland. Mistitled, The Jolly Beggar (Child 279), by the Moores, it is a version of 279-A The Gaberlunyie Man. I've changed the title to A Beggar Man.
R. Matteson 2013]
[A Beggar Man] The Jolly Beggar, sung by Mrs. Mary Strachen of Tulsa. No date given.
A beggar man came over the lea,
Seeking help and charity,
Seeking help and charity.
"Will you lodge a beggar man
So lately come from sea?"
Down by the fire the beggar sat,
Throwing his pack off his back,
Throwing his pack off his back.
He sang his thanks to the maid
Who gave him help and charity.
"Oh, lassie maid, you are far too young;
You do not have a begging tongue,
You do not have a begging tongue.
Along with me you cannot come
To look for help and charity."
"I'll bow my back and bend my knee,
Seeking help and charity,
Seeking help and charity.
All for a bold beggar man
So lately come from sea."
The two of them made up a plot,
Rising two hours ere day,
Rising two hours ere day.
The folks could not hear them o'er the fields,
Seeking help and charity.
Seven long years are past and gone,
Seeking help and charity,
Seeking help and charity.
''Will you lodge a beggar man
So lately come from sea?"
"A beggar man I never will lodge,
Seeking help and charity,
Seeking help and charity.
One stole my daughter dear from me.
A beggar man I'll never keep."
There comes your daughter o'er the lea
With a story to tell to thee,
With a story to tell to thee.
Not a beggar maid but a gay lady,
Your daughter comes back to thee."