Beggar Lyrics - Richard Dawson

She's fast asleep at Woden's feet 

Whilst alms I seek from thronging fairfolk 

As a whelp fast to the teat 

She smote me then 

We've ever since been shadows 

Two beasts of one old soul 

If you rely on the kindness of strangers 

It helps to have a hound for a handmaid 

Not only for the superior nose 

Or companionship 

Often people stop to talk with me 

Having never seen before such a very beautiful snow-coloured collie 

Working the fell a most powerful eye 

Part of the grass, fast as lightning 

Before the children were grown 

They'd ride her like a pony 

Through the nodding banners yesterday 

She went in chase of a ship's rat 

At my wit's end I finally located her 

Under a whining bush, my poor old lady, seized by a fit 

When the raiders came in their flaming carriages 

She went running to her family 

While I listened on, cowering behind a pile of drying logs 

There's no denying it 

I sold my shoes so I could buy a chicken 

A penance and a treat on her final day 

Now she is gone I carry her down to the sea 

And scream at the sinking stars 

"Can you ever forgive me?"