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The Begging Song

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If you want to play along to the track on the Life and Limb Album then you need a Capo on 5th. 
I'm not convinced by the D in the chorus but I can't find anything better to fit.
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                    Martin Carthy - The Begging Song
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[Verse 1]
AmOf all the trades in CEngland tGhe beggin' is the Ambest
AmFor when a beggar's tGired he can lCay him down anGd rest
[Chorus] 
(after each verse):
DAnd a-beggin' I will go
And Ama-beggin' GI will Amgo 
[Verse 2]
AmI got on the train in CCarlisle Gthey kicked me out at AmCrewe
AmI slept on every Gpaving-stone from Cthere to WateGrloo
[Verse 3]
AmI got breakfast off the CEmbankment I Ggot my lunch and Amtea
AmAnd only the finest Gcardboard made a Chome that was fit for Gme
[Verse 4]
AmWe sit on the stair at CLeicester Square from Gseven o'clock till Amten
AmThen round the back of the GConnaught House for Cdinner from out of a Gbin
[Verse 4]
AmI can rest when I am Ctired and I Gheed no master's Ambell
AmA man'd be daft to be a Gking when Cbeggars live so Gwell
[Verse 5]
AmThe law came down to Csee us they came Gdown three Amtogether
AmThey put out the fire they Gleft us there COh Lord how we did Gshiver
[Verse 6]
AmI am a Victorian Cvalue I'm Genterprise Ampoverty
AmCompletely invisible Gto the state Cand a joy to GMrs T
[Verse 7]
AmOf all the trades in CEngland tGhe beggin' is the Ambest
AmFor when a beggar's tGired he can lCay him down anGd rest

All chords in this song (4)

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The Begging Song

by Martin Carthy

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 5 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

If you want to play along to the track on the Life and Limb Album then you need a Capo on 5th.

I'm not convinced by the D in the chorus but I can't find anything better to fit.

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Martin Carthy - The Begging Song

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[Verse 1]

Am C G Am

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

Am G C G

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

[Chorus]

(after each verse):

And a-beggin' I will go

Am G Am

And a-beggin' I will go

[Verse 2]

Am C G Am

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

Am G C G

I slept on every paving-stone from there to Waterloo

[Verse 3]

Am C G Am

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

Am G C G

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

[Verse 4]

Am C G Am

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

Am G C G

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

[Verse 4]

Am C G Am

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

Am G C G

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

[Verse 5]

Am C G Am

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

Am G C G

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

[Verse 6]

Am C G Am

I am a Victorian value I'm enterprise poverty

Am G C G

Completely invisible to the state and a joy to Mrs T

[Verse 7]

Am C G Am

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

Am G C G

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

About The Begging Song Chords by Martin Carthy

Learn how to play The Begging Song by Martin Carthy with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Begging Song chords”, “The Begging Song guitar chords”, or “Martin Carthy The Begging Song chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Begging Song chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Begging Song lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, Am, C, G, A.

FAQ — The Begging Song by Martin Carthy

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Is "The Begging Song" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Begging Song" in?

The chords for "The Begging Song" show the original chord names (including D, Am, C, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.