Beggar Wiseman or Thief
Isobel Campbell Lyrics


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Early one day
On a Tuesday
Met a wolf king across a plain
And I kissed him
I caressed him
Will I see you again?
I shall roam far across the land
If you shan't be my husband

Beggar, wiseman
Beggar, wiseman
Beggar, wiseman, or thief

So he led her 'Cross the river
To his kingdom
And back again
Played a fine lute
And as night fell
They returned to the plain
"Sweetest maid you are right for me
Though God wills me be free
Sweetest maid let a human boy
Gather roses for thee
To a wolf you cannot be wed
Choose a young man instead"

Beggar, wiseman
Beggar, wiseman
Beggar, wiseman, or thief

No other one
I'd rather be blind
If I missed your eyes of rabbinic blue
You have caused me
Much despair, Sir
Since I lay here with you
To a beggar I shan't be wed
Wisemen live in their head
Dearest wolf king
Thou art the thief
Who has loved me so brief
And as night fell
Some folks looked as
She crossed a river
Down by the plain
'Twas there the current
Held her under
Never to be seen again

On the plain sprang
A red rose tree
The wolf was never so free
Now he roams far across the land
Howling for his bride-to-be
He shall roam far across the land
For he shan't be a husband
Beggar, wiseman




Beggar, wiseman
Beggar, wiseman or thief

Overall Meaning

The song "Beggar Wiseman or Thief" by Isobel Campbell is a tragic tale of a woman who falls in love with a wolf king she meets one day. The lyrics describe how she is drawn to him and they spend time together, but he ultimately tells her that they cannot be together because she is human and he is a wolf. He advises her to choose a young man instead of a wolf as a husband. The woman is heartbroken but accepts his advice. However, as she crosses a river on her way home, she drowns and is never seen again. The wolf king roams the land, howling for his lost love, but he knows he cannot be her husband because of his wild nature.


This haunting story is a metaphor for the struggles that often arise in romantic relationships, where one person may be unable or unwilling to commit fully for various reasons. The wolf king cannot be with the woman he loves because of his animal nature, and she cannot be with him because he is not human. The song’s repeated refrain of “beggar, wiseman, or thief” emphasizes the theme of choices in love and relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Early one day
At the start of a new day


On a Tuesday
Specifically on a Tuesday


Met a wolf king across a plain
Encountered a powerful being in an open area


And I kissed him
Shared an intimate moment with this being


I caressed him
Tenderly touched this being


Will I see you again?
Expressing a desire for future contact


I shall roam far across the land
Travel great distances


If you shan't be my husband
Indicating a desire for a deeper commitment


Beggar, wiseman
Listing different types of people


So he led her 'Cross the river
He showed her the way over water


To his kingdom
To the place where he has power


And back again
Returning to their original location


Played a fine lute
Demonstrated musical skill


And as night fell
As darkness approached


They returned to the plain
Went back to a simple area


"Sweetest maid you are right for me
Complimenting her


Though God wills me be free
Acknowledging outside obligations


Sweetest maid let a human boy
Allowing someone else to have her


Gather roses for thee
Performing a small act of kindness


To a wolf you cannot be wed
Highlighting an obstacle to their relationship


Choose a young man instead"
Suggesting an alternative


No other one
Referring only to this specific person


I'd rather be blind
A strong preference


If I missed your eyes of rabbinic blue
The color of this person's eyes


You have caused me
The effects of their relationship


Much despair, Sir
Strong negative emotions


To a beggar I shan't be wed
Again, referring to potential partners


Wisemen live in their head
Describing a certain type of person


Dearest wolf king
Affectionate address


Thou art the thief
Accusing this person of wrongdoing


Who has loved me so brief
Reflecting on the brevity of their relationship


Some folks looked as
Observed by others


She crossed a river
Again, traveling over water


Down by the plain
Lower in elevation


'Twas there the current
Describing a specific location


Held her under
The water caused her death


Never to be seen again
Her ultimate fate


On the plain sprang
New growth in an open area


A red rose tree
A symbol of love and beauty


The wolf was never so free
His newfound freedom


Now he roams far across the land
Going on to live his life


Howling for his bride-to-be
A sense of longing


He shall roam far across the land
Repeating the previous line


For he shan't be a husband
Again, clarifying a relationship status


Beggar, wiseman
Repeating earlier lines


Beggar, wiseman
Repeating earlier lines


Beggar, wiseman or thief
Listing different types of people




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