Digital Tradition Mirror

The Blind Beggar's Daughter

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Blind Beggar's Daughter

It's of a blind beggar who had lost his sight,
He had but one daughter most beautiful bright.
"May I seek my fortune, dear father?" said she,
And the favour was granted to pretty Betsy.

She started from Romford,  as I have heard say,
And arrived in London that very same day.
She's the fairest of creatures that I've ever seen,
Was the blind beggar's daughter of Bethnal Green.

She had not been there a very long time,
Before some rich lord a-courting her came.
"Your silks shall be lined with jewels," said he,
"If you can but love me, my charming Betsy."

"Oh! that I am willing to do then," said she;
"But first ask the father of charming Betsy."
"And who is your father?  Come tell unto me,
That I may go with you your father to see."

"My father is every day to be seen,
He is call'd the blind beggar of Bethnal Green,
He is call 'd the blind beggar,  God knows him " said she
"And he has been a good father to his daughter Betsy."

The lord was amazed that such things should be.
"You blind beggar's daughter,  you won't do for me.
No blind beggar's daughter my lady shan't be."
And he scornfully turned from charming Betsy.

Then up stepp'd another, a lad of high birth,
"Your blind beggar's daughter she's never the worse,
Her silks shall be lined with jewels, " said he,
And I will go with her her father to see."

They started from London,  as I have heard say,
And arrived in Romford the very same day,
And when they came there her father to see,
How gladly he heard of his daughter Betsy.

"My daughter's not clothed in velvet and pearl,
But I will drop guineas with you for my girl."
So they dropp'd and they dropp'd each a guinea on the ground,
Until they had each dropp'd quite three thousand pounds.

And when the young squire had dropp'd all his store,
He said,  "Loving father,  I can drop no more,"
"Then take her and make her your lady so bright,
And lords, dukes and squires this wedding will spite.

And when you are married then I will lay down,
A thousand bright guineas to buy her a gown."
Then the squire made answer,  "Contented we'll be,
There's none can compare with charming Betsy."

Now all things being ready to join hand in hand,
William and Betsy were tied in a band.
A more beautiful bride there never was seen,
Than the blind beggar's daughter of Bethnal Green.

From The Constant Lovers, Purslow
DT #456
Laws N27
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!