The Beggar Laddie

Child #280


'Twas in the pleasant month of June
When gentle ladies walk all alone,
When woods and valleys all grow green
And the sun it shone so clearly.

Down in yon grove I spied a swain
A shepherd sheep crook in his hand,
He was driving ewes out o'er the knowes,
And he was a well-faired laddie.

"Come tell to me what is your trade,
Or by what art you win your bread,
Or by what art you win your bread
When herding you give over?"

"Making spindles is my trade,
And fighting sticks in times of need,
For I'm a beggar to my trade--
Now, lassie, could you love me?"

"I could love you as many fold
As Jacob loved Rachel of old;
As Jesse loved his cups of gold--
My laddie, if you'll believe me."

"Then you'll take off your robes of red
And you'll put on the beggin' weed,
And follow me hard at the back,
And you'll be the beggar's darling."

Then she cast off her robes of red,
And she put on the beggin' weed,
And she followed him hard at the back,
And she was the beggar's darling.

And when they came to yonder town
They bought a loaf and they both sat down,
They bought a loaf and they both sat down,
And the lassie ate with her laddie.

But the lassie's courage began to fail,
And her rosy cheeks grew wan and pale,
And the tears came trickling down like hail
Or a heavy shower in summer.

"Oh, would I were on yon high hill,
Where my father's flocks do feed their fill.
I would set me down and weep awhile
For the followin' of my laddie."

"Then you'll take off that beggin' weed
And you'll put on your robes of red,
And you'll turn you back the way you came,
For I cannot stand your weeping."

"Though come the good, or come the woe,
It's with my beggar I will go,
And I'll follow him through frost and snow,
And be the beggar's darling."

When they came to yon marble gate
So boldly did he knock thereat,
He rapped so loud and he rapped so late
And he rapp‚d there so rudely.

Then four and twenty gentlemen
Came out to welcome the beggar home,
And just as many ladies gay
To welcome the young knight's lady.

His brother John stood by the wall,
He laughed 'til he was like to fall,
"Oh brother, I wish we had begg‚d all,
For such a bonnie lassie."

"Yestre'en I was a beggar's bride,
This night I'll lie down by his side.
I've come to good by my misquide.
For now I'm the young knight's lady."