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 Sligo
And I'm known by the name of old 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 rig-a-do.
I slept in a barn way down in Clarabourn
With holes in the roof and it rained until the morn
With holes in me shoes and me toes a-peeking through
And the cats and the rats they were playin' peek-a-boo.
Who should awaken but the woman of the house
With her white spotted apron and her calico blouse
She got frightened and I said, "Boo,
And don't be afraid, ma'am. It's only Donahue."
I met a little flaxy haired girl one day
Good mornin' little flaxy-haired girl, I did say
Good mornin', little beggerman, and how do you do,
With your rags and your tags and your old rig-a-do?
Five pair o' brogans and a collar and a tie,
A nice little lady I will fetch by and by
Five pair o' brogans and I'll color them blue
And an old-fashioned lady I will make her too.
Over the fields with me pack on me back,
Over the hills with me great heavy sack
With the holes in my shoes and the toes a'peekin' through
Singin' skittilee rink-a-doodle it's the its old Donahue.
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 rig-a-do
It's good bye and god be with you says old Donahue.
Verse (generally in A):
| I | I | I | IV |
| I | I | VII | VII |
| I | I | I | IV |
| I | I | V | I |