The Begging Song

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 (after each verse): D And a-beggin' I will go Am G Am And a-beggin' I will go 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 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 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 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 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 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 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