The Jolly Beggar

It's of a jolly beggar man came tripping o'er the plain,
He came unto a farmer's door, a lodging for to gain.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

The farmer he came out to see, he looked the man around,
Says he, For ragged beggar men no lodging here is found.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

The daughter, she came down the stair, and viewed him cheek and chin,
And said, He is a handsome man, I pray you take him in.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

He would not lie within the barn, nor yet within the byre,
But he would in the corner lie, down by the kitchen fire.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

O then the beggar's bed was made with good clean sheets and hay,
And down beside the kitchen fire the jolly beggar lay.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

The farmer's daughter, she got up to bar the kitchen door,
And there she met the beggar standing naked on the floor.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

He took the daughter in his arms and to the bed he ran,
Kind sir, be easy now, she says, you'll waken our goodman.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

She lay as still as any mouse, as if she had been dead,
He gave her kisses two or three and stole her maidenhead.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

I'm sure you are no beggar, you are some gentleman,
For you have stole my maidenhead, and I am quite undone.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

I am no squire, I am no lord, of beggars I be one,
And beggars they be robbers all, and so you are undone.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.

She took the bed in both her hands and threw it at the wall,
Says, Go you with the beggar man, my maidenhead and all.

Chorus:
 And we'll go no more a-roving, So late into the night,
 And we'll go no more a-roving, Let the moon shine e'er so bright,
 And we'll go no more a-roving.