The Jolly Beggar

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The Jolly Beggar, also known as The Gaberlunzieman, is Child ballad 279. The song's chorus inspired lines in Lord Byron's poem "So, we'll go no more a roving".

Contents

Synopsis

A beggar comes over the hills one day, and knocks on the door of a local farmer and asks for a roof for the night. Curiously, he will not accept a bed in the barn, but wishes only to sleep by the kitchen fire. Late at night, the farmer's daughter comes down to lock the kitchen door. The beggar and daughter exchange words, and fall in love. They sleep together, and through some unmentioned premise, the daughter accuses the man of being a nobleman come dressed as a beggar to woo her. He convinces her that he is indeed only a beggar, and she kicks him out. However, it turns out he was, in fact, a noble.

Hamish Henderson and Ewan McVicar have noted:

Another native Scots ballad. It is sometimes said to reflect one of the adventures of King James V of Scotland, who traveled the country disguised as the Guidman of Ballengeich to learn how his subjects fared. Some versions include a violent seduction verse sounding akin to rape. This ballad is intensely popular, and many Scots traditional singers have recorded it. [1]

Versions

See also

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References

  1. "The Jolly Beggar / The Beggar Man / The Auld Beggarman (Roud 118; Child 279; G/D 2:274)". mainlynorfolk.info.
  2. "The Jolly Beggar - Reel" via www.youtube.com.
  3. "CBDB". www.childballadrecordings.com.
  4. "Bonnet Belt and Sword, The Corries Official Website". www.corries.com.
  5. "The Corries Bonnet, Belt and Sword Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.