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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