I am a little beggar and a beggar I have been   For three score'r more in this little Isle of green   And I'm known from the Liffy down to Segue   And I'm known by the name of bold Donahue      Of all the trades a-goin' now sure beggin is the best   When a man gets tired he can lay him down to rest   He can beg for his dinner when there's nothing left to do   Then just cut around the corner with his old Rigadoo      I slept in a barn way down in Curabawn   A-waitin' in for the mornin' I slept till the dawn   With the holes in the roof and the rain a-comin' through   And the cats and the rats they were playin' peeka-boo      Who should awaken but the woman of the house   With here white spotted apron and her calico blouse   She began to frighten when I said boo!   Sayin' don't be afraid ma'am it's old Johnny Dhu      I met a little flaxy haired girl one day,   Good morning little flaxy haired girl I say   Good morning little Beggar Man and how do you do   With your rags and your tags and your old Rigaioo      Buy a pair of leggings and a collar and a be   And a nice big lady I will fetch by and by   Buy a pair of goggles and I'll color them blue   And an old fashioned lady I will make her too      Over the fields with the pack on my back   Over the field with my great heavy sack   With the holes in my shoes and the toes a'peekin' through   Singin' skittilee rink-a-doodle it's the old Johnny Dhu      Must be going to bed boys, it's gettin' late at night   All the fire's all raked and up goes the light   And now you've heard the story of my old Rigadoo   It's "Good-bye God be with you' sings the old Johnny Dhu