I wish I were in Dublin or some other seaport town 
I'd set my foot on a steamboat and sail the ocean 'round 
Sailing 'round the ocean, sailing 'round the sea 
I think of handsome Molly wherever she may be 

I am a beggarman and a beggin' I have been 
I'm known from the Liffy on down to Segu 
And I'm known by the name of Little Johnny Doo 

For three score or more on this lil' isle of green 
When a man gets tired he can lay his head to rest 
Of all the trades a-goin' sure a-beggin' is the best 

He can beg for his supper when there's nothing else to do 
Or go sit 'round the corner in his ol' rigadoo 
We slept one night in a barn in Clairebon 
And the cats and the rats they were a-playin peek-a-boo 
We went naked all night and slept until the dawn 
Holes in the roof and the rain a-pourin' through 
In a white spotted apron and a calico blouse 

Who should awaken but the woman of the house 
"Don't be afraid ma'am, it's only Johnny Doo!" 
She began to frighten and I said "Boo!" 

Over the fields with a pack on my back 
Over the hills with a creak in me sack 
Holes in my shoes and my toes peekin' through 
Singing "Shinkle and a wrinkle it's only Johnny Doo!" 

Well, it's getting late at night and it's time to go to bed 
And the fire's all out and whoops goes the light 
Now you know the story of the old rigadoo 
So good night and God be with you says Little Johnny Doo