I am a little beggar and a beggin I have been
For three score or more in this little isle of green
And I'm known from the Liffey down to Tessague
Known by the name of ould Johnnie Dhu Of all the trades a-goin' sure the beggin is the best
For when a man is tired he can lay him down and rest
Beg for his supper when there's nothin' else to do
Than to cut around the corner with his ould ricadoo I slept in a barn way down Carrabawn
I was wet for the mornin'n and I slept 'till the dawn
With the hole in the roof and the rain comin' through
The cats and the rats they were playin' peek-a-boo Who should awaiken but the woman of the house
With her white spotty apron and her calico blouse
She began to frighten when I said boo
I said now don't be afraid ma'm It's just Johnnie Dhu I met a little flaxon haired girl one day
"Good morning little flaxon haired girl" I'd say
"Good morning little beggarman and how do you do
With your rage and your bags and your ould ricadoo?" "I have a pair of goggles and a collar and a tie
And a nice young lady I shall fetch by and by"
"Oh I have a pair of goggles I shall colour them blue
And an old fashioned lady I will make for you" Over the hill with a pack on my back
Over the hill with a great and heavey sack
With holes in my shoes and the toes comin' through
Singin' skiddy-me-rinky-doollum for ould Johnnie Dhu Better get to goin' for it's gettin' late at night
Fire's all raked and out goes the light
Now you've heard the story of my ould ricadoo
It's good-night and god-bless from ould Johnnie Dhu | 
