Oh there was a jolly beggar and a begging he was bound
And the beggar took his quarters into Hexham town
But he wasn’t lying with the lady or the squire
But in behind the kitchen door or by the kitchen fire

The beggar made his bed up out of bits of straw and hay
And in behind the kitchen door the jolly beggar lay
And the good lady of the house got up to bar the door
She found the jolly beggar standing naked on the floor

He’s took her up all in his arms and to her bed he’s run
"Oh be quiet with me now good sir you’ll waken my good man"
But the beggar took no heed of her and carried on his poke
And when he got the job well done he began to joke

"Are there any cats or dogs about would rive up all me gear"
"Oh the devil take your tatters now me maidenhead’s away"
But the good lady’s up again before the hour of day
To make the beggar’s breakfast up before he went away

Ah, she went down to the cellar for to pour a pot of ale
And the beggar followed after and he did the job again
He’s took her up all in his arms and gave her kisses three
And he’s gave her twenty guineas for to pay the nurses fee

Then he’s took a horn from out his bag and played it loud and shrill
And four and twenty serving men came riding o’er the hill
But the beggar was a canny lad and he leaped shoulder high
Says I’ve never had such lodgings as I had last night