Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green Songtext
von Stick in the Wheel

It′s of a blind beggar who had lost his sight
And he had a daughter most beautiful bright
Let me seek my fortune, dear father, said she
And the favour was granted to charming Betsy
She set out of Romford as I've heard say
And arrived in London the very same day
And when she came there well hired was she
And so dearly beloved was charming Betsy

She had not been there a very long time
When a rich squire a-courting he came
Your silks shall be lined with jewels said he
If you can but love me my charming Betsy
Oh yes I am willing to do it said she
But first ask the father of pretty Betsy
But who is your father come tell unto me
And I will go with you your father to see


My father is every day to be seen
He is called the blind beggar of Bethnal Green
A blind beggar′s daughter, you'll not do for me
For no blind beggar's daughter my lady shall be
Up jumps a young knight of courage and worth
Thy a blind beggar′s daughter you′re never the worse
Now your silks shall be lined with jewels said he
If you can but love me my charming Betsy

They went out of London, as I've heard say
And arrived in Romford the very same day
And when he came there her father to see
He was most glad to hear of charming Betsy
My daughter′s not clothed as well as she shall
For I will drop guineas with you to my girl
They dropt till they dropt 10 guineas on the ground
And they dropt till it came to 10,000 pound

Then take her and make her your jewel so bright
For many a lord this wedding would spite
And when you are married I will lay down
Ten hundred bright guineas to buy her a gown
All things were made ready they went hand in hand
Young Billy and Betsey were both made as one
The most beautiful lady that ever was seen
She's the blind beggar′s daughter of Bethnal Green