O' a' the trades I do ken.

The beggin' is the best,

For when a beggar's weary

He can aye sit doon an' rest,

Chorus - Tae the beggin' I will go, will go,

              tae the beggin' I will go.

 

It's I'll gyang tae the cobbler

An' gar him sort my shoon ;

An inch thick tae the boddam

An' clooted weel abune.

 

An' I will tae the greasy cook,

Frae him I'll buy a hat,

Weel press'd and weather-beaten,

An' glitt'rin ower wi' fat.

 

An' I will tae the tailor,

Wi' a wab o' hodden gray,

An' gar him mak' a cloak for me,

Will hap me nicht and day.

 

An' yet ere I begin my trade,

I'll let my beard grow strang ;

Nor pare my nails this year or day

For the beggars wear them lang.

 

I'll pit nae watter on my hands

As little on my face ;

For still the lowner like I am,

The mair my trade I'll grace.

 

When I come tae a fairm-toon

I'll say wi' hat in hand ;

"Will the beggar-man get quarters here ?

Alas, I canna stand."

 

An' when they're a' come in aboot

It's then I'll start tae sing.

An' dae my best tae gar them lauch

A' roon aboot the ring.

 

If there's a wedding in the toon ;

I'll airt me tae be there ;

An' pour my kindest benisons

Upon the happy pair.

 

An' some will give me beef an' breid,

An' some will give me cheese ;

An' oot an' in amang the folk,

I'll gaither the bawbees.

 

If beggin' be as good as trade

An' as I hope it may,

It's time that I was oot o' here

An' haudin doon the brae.