The Jolly Beggar - Planxty 1980

Andy sings the Jolly Beggar from the Abbey tavern in Howth in 1980

[@daraghhyland6271]

These men changed irish music for the better in such a significant way to take ancient tunes and ballads and make them appealing to everyone is an amazing feat...that and the fact they are all world class musicians

[@nbenefiel]

I will never forget the first time I heard them. It was in 72 in Dublin. They did the Raggle toggled gypsy and segued into Tabhair dom do Laius. The crowd literally exploded. We had never heard anything like that before.

[@nbenefiel]

@@fastcat5871 They jumped up and started screaming. The bombs came later.

[@st_beil]

I heard Planxty in the beginning of the 70 the first time - and I love them til today - thats wonderful irish music - thank you, Planxty!

[@Stephenqpr]

Reminds me of my childhood and my daddy who I loved so much. Died in 1984 he loved Planxty and this takes me right back to precious times.

[@johnpomerville2784]

First heard these fellows and this song in 1986 driving up the Adirondack Northway in a blizzard. It was on a Vermont Public Radio station and kept fading in and out but I loved it. Heard Planxty's name at the end and have been listening ever since!

[@edendavis9791]

2018 world livestock auctioneer championship

[@geraldneary1948]

A man of good taste.

[@BootsMacD]

RIP Liam O'Flynn from a soldier based in south Lebanon!

[@burtbloom4794]

He was, then and now, without peer

[@bencole2892]

Never gets old.

[@deemulcahy6553]

Haven’t heard this song in years! Finding this gem fills me with joy

[@MrMusicguyma]

Titans of Irish folk, still. Great arrangements. My old band (1980s) had a lot of Planxty songs in the repertoire.

[@salvatorerivieccio806]

My first Irish song listen in 80 years; my favorite!

[@nbenefiel]

I lived in Dublin most of the 70’s I used to go see Planxty every chance I got.

[@whackfoldeediedo1]

It's nice to know that RTE one did something culturally significant once.

[@Kampfwageneer]

im sure they are putting up muslim pride now if theyre anything like the brits

[@beakfordflappington78]

you wouldnt want the &&&n BBC... either Gb

[@ewaldseiland8558]

@@Kampfwageneer You got those too on your green island? O well enjoy...

[@jnsii54]

Planxty is a jewelry store full of gems, friends.

[@Retroscoop]

jnsii54 It is it is ! Such a rich career, dedicated to music with a big M played with a big Heart !

[@beakfordflappington78]

and RTE is the dragon-pillager ? out to line her pock? at least least maybe/

[@k9woof219]

I’m Scottish but I love these!

[@brendanoconnor3128]

The Scots were an Irish tribe that went to north Britain.

[@alistairthompson8311]

Well, it is a Scottish song, to be fair.

[@odeamusic]

looking at all these play styles you realize that this is where the bar is set for each instrument. amazing that this much talent was in the same place at the same time... you just don't see this anymore... nuthin even close these days.

[@Arkybark]

You do see quite a bit of good talent today but the earlier groups (Planxty, the Corries, the Dubliners, Silly Wizard, to mention a few) really did set the bar for all that came after. The fact that the best music the world has to offer is concentrated Ireland and Scotland is certainly worth thinking about.

[@tuforu4]

Are you SERIOUS its rubnish music.

[@theevilthatmendo100]

its 2023,and fuckin nice

[@shanieleddy8492]

Planxty, one of Ireland,s national treasure,s

[@keshoasubuhi]

Well at least you got the first comma right

[@Gerrynz]

Now thats brilliant, haven't heard this song for over 20 years

[@beckycoggan464]

Incredible musical prowess, it's stunning.

[@84masterboy1984]

Me encanta esta música,tantos años escuchando este maravillosa banda....saludos desde Perú

[@michaeljordan6479]

Wow Beautiful Brilliant Performance Andy

[@user-es7rm9gb5g]

There is nothing like Irish music to put me in the special mood it does, even though I live in the most remote kind of atmosphere

[@ladyinblack7080]

"And to the bed he ran..." Great tune, and the lyrics are a gem! Made me grin from ear to ear, something I'm quite grateful for at the moment. Thanks!

[@tommynocash2419]

My dad used to listen to planxy when he were in the british merchant navy, his Irish Sea mate used to dance around play the penny whistle, sounds like bliss to me

[@storrho]

I have such fond memories of dancing around with my brother and dad on this song. I just found it after 18 years and i think I know where my fondness of everything Irish and Scottish came from.

[@user-pc7mg5zy3d]

LOVE PLANXTY

[@jamesb.8940]

Every word crystal clear - great stuff.

[@jackmcmarch9091]

Hi there. Since you obviously get it better than I do, could you tell me what does the verse that start at 2:11 say? Thanks

[@McBean09]

***** Most instances of this song online do not include the short verse you are talking about, but it says: She lay as still as any mouse, as if she had been dead The beggar he jumped in with her and stole her maidenhead chorus "Now you are no beggar, you are some gentleman For you have stolen my maidenhead and I am quite undone" "I am no lord, I am no squire, of beggars I be one And beggars they be robbers all, so you are quite undone" Stealing her maidenhead refers to taking her virginity (and her heart).

[@jackmcmarch9091]

Jean Pickard Many thanks for your help. I was struggling a bit with the mouse metaphore...

[@kalikristos8693]

+Jean Pickard I bet my left nut she was no virgin.

[@jamesb.8940]

+Kali Kristos Not after he was finished.

[@imaballadeer]

john peel the British DJ always said he burst into tears when he first heard the an irish band called the undertones. i searched for years for a sound but could never find what i was looking for until i heard this song and i went to tears too.seeing these guys in dublin 2004 will stay with me .

[@balsham137]

i dont understand what the undertones have to do with this song from your story?

[@StorieGrubb]

who could come to this and dislike it? strange. this is lovely.

[@ryanmccabe8192]

god rest liam og o'flynn who sadly passed away .rip mo chara

[@tuforu4]

Its RUBBISH.

[@rockeee]

Im lovin Donals' tie! Fantastic performance. There'll only ever be one Planxty.

[@bonenfant96]

He has always been my favorite Irish singer.

[@fullygrownshambles]

I have so many fond memories of my childhood to which this provided the soundtrack, listening to Planxty never fails to fill me with joy. They were very special.

[@prangbro]

Christy Moore always looked about 60, even in the late 60s- the plus side is that he doesn't look a day older 40 years after this performance!

[@marinasantori2807]

Sempre mi commuove ed entusiasma questa musica!! La ho amata nella mia giovinezza e ancora la amo.

[@robertbiggins3693]

another planxty song with history and a story first class.

[@dessiediamond5974]

My go to song

[@josemariasanchez2799]

Nearly perfet! That´s of an english friend of mine said in Manchester in 1980 when we had the oportunity of hearing and watching the concert of Planxty. Now in 2016 I said the same , wanderfull, nearly perfet.

[@TheMrseringobragh]

Great song. Thanx for posting

[@whhswhhs]

Terrific! Thanks for posting.

[@marie-joseogier7100]

Aie..aie..la musique de ma jeunesse et de mon séjour en Irlande en 1974

[@MrMusicguyma]

Great song. My old band heard the Planxty version in the late 70s, and used to sing it (though not as well).

[@MartinPetrik-xm4ju]

very good

[@nbenefiel]

Donal is having a great time.

[@brendanseanbarry]

I love these tracks where a reel or a jig is stitched onto the end of the song. Like The Good Ship Kangaroo.

[@Arkybark]

Wonderful

[@patchmck]

thanks for the upload! love this tune

[@DaveElectric55555]

fantastic

[@raymondfiddle]

Really pleased to have found this song on u tube originally introduced by david kennedy from skewiff to currency lads in the 90s-top song

[@SuperNapalm666]

Great fenian music

[@raymondfiddle]

Thanks for uploading this song I recall performing this song with the Sydney Band Currency Lads at the Rocks Square in 1992 Ray Abela being the fiddle played Many memories are relived

[@McBean09]

I LOVE THIS!!!

[@Arakiel71]

Sound of 80's West Belfast house parties ❤️

[@rach9466]

Dang, I’d be into parties if they played music like this. Not so for my generation.

[@slimmage]

awesome bilko, thanks so much!

[@84masterboy1984]

Love this song

[@andytownman1916]

Thanks!!

[@wezzerb1]

go on the lads, cant beat them!!!

[@mikie8865]

awesome-thanks

[@BardofCornwall]

Fantastic!

[@cinderellalifestyle]

always enjoy your postings so much--all gems, thankyou!

[@Kiltabilly]

A classic always simply without a doubt

[@dianefarrell2343]

Authentic

[@jlbianval]

Increíbles. Gracias, bilko 1234.

[@hundingwelser]

beautiful

[@peterkelly2985]

Brilliant.

[@randalmcmurphy1893]

jolly good stuff!

[@fredcrs]

yea really awesome I became a big fan of Planxty...that was the first song I ever haeard

[@patrickodonnell9770]

Unreal.planxty were beyond talented

[@aljcamp]

great job

[@TheMrseringobragh]

Love this song and love the Planxty have only one record but will buy me some more

[@confen6190]

Lyrics: There was a jolly beggarman Came tripping o'er the plain He came unto a farmer's door A lodging for to gain The farmer's daughter she came down And viewed him cheek and chin She says "He is a handsome man I pray you take him in" We'll go no more a roving A roving in the night We'll go no more a roving Let the moon shine so bright We'll go no more a roving He would not lie within the barn Nor yet within the byre But he would in the corner lie Down by the kitchen fire O then the beggar's bed was made Of good clean sheets and hay And down beside the kitchen fire The jolly beggar lay We'll go no more a roving A roving in the night We'll go no more a roving Let the moon shine so bright We'll go no more a roving The farmer's daughter she got up To bolt the kitchen door And there she saw the beggar Standing naked on the floor He took the daughter in his arms And to the bed he ran Kind sir, she says, be easy now You'll waken our goodman We'll go no more a roving A roving in the night We'll go no more a roving Let the moon shine so bright We'll go no more a roving Now you are no beggar You are some gentleman For you have stolen my maidenhead And I am quite undone I am no lord, I am no squire Of beggars I be one And beggars they be robbers all So you're quite undone We'll go no more a roving A roving in the night We'll go no more a roving Let the moon shine so bright We'll go no more a roving

[@manoloavilches]

There are two more lines between the third and fourth Choruses

[@Kitiwake]

Nice bit of mando at the end. Well filmed.

[@stevenmortelmans2877]

Amazing song, I love it as much as "The gaberlunzie king" by the Corries :)

[@DamienCABAUSSEL]

J'aime ce peuple.

[@Retroscoop]

Damien CABAUSSEL Je partage cet avis, pleins de bons souvenirs à Nantes comme étudiant belge, pas mal d'Irlandais de passage, dans le cadre du festival interceltique... On ne devait jamais les demander 2 fois s'ils voulaient jouer quelque chose, même à 4 heures du matin dans la rue s'il le fallait :0)

[@QUEEN1992MERCURY]

I know about a cover by an Italian folk band. I love this song!!!

[@argella1300]

wow...just...wow

[@adventurerdave727]

It's.... Just.... Wow...

[@YoshiIguana698]

The Stark Ravens have an extended fifth verse: The farmer’s wife came down the stairs awakened from her sleep. She saw the beggar and the girl and she began to weep. She took the bed in both her arms and threw it at the wall. Said, "Go ye with the beggarman! Me maidenhead and all!”

[@thebehaviouraltraininginst812]

The bowsy ✌️

[@randalmcmurphy1893]

top stuff

[@saramartino0820]

It's of a jolly beggarman came tripping o'er the plain He came unto a farmer's door a lodging for to gain The farmer's daughter she came down and viewed him cheek and chin She says, He is a handsome man. I pray you take him in We'll go no more a roving, a roving in the night We'll go no more a roving, let the moon shine so bright We'll go no more a roving He would not lie within the barn nor yet within the byre But he would in the corner lie down by the kitchen fire o then the beggar's bed was made of good clean sheets and hay And down beside the kitchen fire the jolly beggar lay The farmer's daughter she got up to bolt the kitchen door And there she saw the beggar standing naked on the floor He took the daughter in his arms and to the bed he ran Kind sir, she says, be easy now, you'll waken our goodman Now you are no beggar, you are some gentleman For you have stolen my maidenhead and I am quite undone I am no lord, I am no squire, of beggars I be one And beggars they be robbers all, so you re quite undone she took the bed and threw it to the wall said go you beggar go the well 

[@rockstoneballs]

Cannot count the amount of times I've watched this video and all of the others from the Abbey Tavern, but this is the first time I've noticed Donal Lunny's earrings!

[@francespower4631]

Joyous

[@holdyourwhisht]

Brilliant song- love the beginning haha "Loved to dress as a beggar...and have off with the young women" pmsl. Good craic!

[@kathleentherose]

The Great Bards are still alive !!

[@Domitianvs]

@theRekcabofD I think what he means is that when they recorded this for their first album in the early 70's, they included the reel The Wise Maid afterwards, expertly played on the Uilleann Pipes by Liam.

[@edmundcoyle364]

Such things werent allowed back in the Ireland of those days?

[@whitemughal2]

I'm sure George Gordon, AKA Lord Byron, would heartily approve of the story and sentiments behind this song, since his poem was likely inspired by it. Not sure how it would play in our post #Metoo era, though LOL!

[@johncrimmins6314]

The BOULD beggar man 😁

[@cornsmuggler]

@BaldGrace Yeah I first heard this tune when George W was president and the first thing I thought of was him dressing up as beggar and cruising through Amarillo trying to pick up farm girls. Imagine that if you can.

[@martifingers]

Andy once gave a fuller version of the song - he reckoned it may have been about an actual beggar pretending to be the king who was known to interested in slumming it.

[@sotospeak415]

Learning Andy's part here by ear is tough. I think he uses GCGC tuning but maybe not, looks like his lowest string is actually F. Such good musicians

[@Darkmage1293]

@theRekcabofD I'd say it is, considering what I've heard.

[@jomaugar]

I also remember there was an older version of this by Planxty in KZbin, and surely I agree that it was the finest, mainly because they played another reel after the two themes in this version. Where is it?!

[@nodiggity9472]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKqzZWNtitOIjdk

[@maggoli67]

Chorus sounds like Archie Fisher's Mosstroopers' Lament. Fine music.

[@suburbanbanshee]

You mean, Archie Fisher (amazing songwriter/singer!) took the tune and chorus and wrote his own song. "The Jolly Beggar" is a lot older. Heck, even Byron stole the chorus and turned it into a poem -- that's how old the song is! But yes, a clever guess by Archie Fisher, because the chorus does sound like a smuggling or bandit song, or maybe a general womanizing and drinking song. My guess is that it was originally a song about bachelors getting married and staying home... but really, it's such a great chorus that it could be anything.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@suburbanbanshee The song is also Scottish or English- no one is quite sure.

[@Seamus616]

best band ever. iontach ar fad!

[@andyweb7779]

According to Wikipedia James V of Scotland actually wrote this fucking song himself!! LOL

[@shgsistemas]

Dear mother of God!!! Your postings are the best ever!!! Where do you get this stuff from?? Gretings from patagonia!!

[@QUEEN1992MERCURY]

Sei italiano anche tu? *_* Si, sono proprio i Poverfolk, li ho visti qualche tempo fa dal vivo, ma ti parlo di almeno 7 anni fa, ma mi sono rimasti nel cuore... ^_^

[@Domitianvs]

@Afrobeat100 It's probably because of the fact that when they recorded it on their album, they recorded it in the key of B, and thus Liam played his B set of flat pipes, and he probably didn't bring all of his diffrent sets to a gig like this just to play a single tune on one of them.

[@ohisashiburi]

Get the Guiness out guys....Brilliant!

[@lindamon8]

Wot no Wise Maid?