The Beggarman polka

Also known as The Gaberlunzieman.

There are 7 recordings of this tune.

The Beggarman has been added to 22 tunebooks.

One setting

X: 1
T: The Beggarman
R: polka

M: 2/4
L: 1/8
K: Cmaj
cA|:G3 A|c3 d|f3 d|e3 c|c2 A2|c d3|G4-|G2 GA|c2 ce|
g3 g|a2 gf|g2 ed|c3 c|e g3|d4|edcA:|G4-|G2z2||

Two comments

This tune is based on Child’s version of a song known as ‘The Gaberlunzieman’ (No. 297).

The song tells of a king who wanders the land disguised as a beggar, seducing the daughters of the peasants. Soon they in their turn favoured beggars hoping it would be the king.

I guess it needs more than simple luck to find the beggar who is more than what he seems.

That’s the Scotish version of the ‘Jolly Beggarman’, aye?

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