The Begging Song

Of all the trades in England the beggin' is the best

For when a beggar's tired he can lay him down and rest

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go

I got on the train in Carlisle they kicked me out at Crewe

I slept on every paving-stone from there to Waterloo

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go

I got breakfast off the Embankment I got my lunch and tea

And only the finest cardboard made a home that was fit for me

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go

We sit on the stair at Leicester Square from seven o'clock till ten

Then round the back of the Connaught House for dinner from out of a bin

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go

I can rest when I am tired and I heed no master's bell

A man'd be daft to be a king when beggars live so well

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go

The law came down to see us they came down three together

They put out the fire they left us there Oh Lord how we did shiver

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go

I am a Victorian value I'm enterprise poverty

Completely invisible to the state and a joy to Mrs T

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go

Of all the trades in England the beggin' is the best

For when a beggar's tired he can lay him down and rest

And a-beggin' I will go

And a-beggin' I will go