Beggarman
Shocking Blue Lyrics


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A beggar stood on back street corner,
A beggar stood on back street corner,
His clothes went weed and he drags on his feet,
A beggar stood down on back street.

A man passed by, he's fat and richy,
A man passed by, he's fat and richy,
He does not seem to know this weed at all,
A beggar stood down on back street.

Hey, hey, hey, beggarman, yeah,
Will you play a beggarman? Yeah,
Will you play a beggarman? Yeah,
Beggarman, do you care?

A drunken guy, he screams so badly,
A drunken guy, he screams so badly,
He kicks my head and drags my tongue,
He kicks my head and that.

Hey, hey, hey, beggarman, yeah,
Will you play a beggarman? Yeah,
Will you play a beggarman? Yeah,
Beggarman, do you care?

Hey, hey, hey, beggarman, yeah,
Will you play a beggarman? Yeah,




Will you play a beggarman? Yeah,
Beggarman, do you care?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shocking Blue's song "Beggarman" narrate the story of a destitute man who is begging on a back street corner. The song describes the beggar's appearance, emphasizing the tattered and worn-out state of his clothes, and his physical condition, dragging his feet to move. As the beggar stands alone on the street, he watches people passing by, including a wealthy man who seems ignorant of his plight. The chorus repeats the question, "Will you play a beggarman?" as a plea to acknowledge and empathize with the beggar's situation, questioning whether anyone cares about his condition.


The song takes a dark turn in the second verse as a drunken man approaches the beggar and starts screaming and kicking him, causing him physical harm. The violence portrayed in the lyrics highlights the vulnerability and dehumanization that the homeless face in society. The second verse also adds the repetition of the line, "He kicks my head and drags my tongue," which further emphasizes the brutality of the scene.


Overall, "Beggarman" is a poignant commentary on the social and economic inequality prevalent in many societies, where those at the bottom of the economic ladder are often ignored, dehumanized, and subject to violence. The song questions society's apathy towards the suffering of others and highlights the need for empathy and compassion towards those less fortunate.


Line by Line Meaning

A beggar stood on back street corner,
There was a homeless person standing on a corner in a less trafficked area.


His clothes went weed and he drags on his feet,
His clothes were tattered and he appeared to be extremely tired.


A man passed by, he's fat and richy,
A wealthy man walked past the beggar looking prosperous.


He does not seem to know this weed at all,
The rich man appeared oblivious to the beggar and didn't acknowledge him.


Hey, hey, hey, beggarman, yeah,
Hey, homeless man, listen up:


Will you play a beggarman? Yeah,
Can you continue to beg and live this way of life?


A drunken guy, he screams so badly,
A drunk individual yells loudly and uncontrollably.


He kicks my head and drags my tongue,
The drunk person violently attacked the beggar.


Hey, hey, hey, beggarman, yeah,
Hey, homeless man:


Beggarman, do you care?
Do you even care about your own well-being and safety?




Contributed by Adrian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

geert van Raaij

geweldig dat dit er nu EINDELIJK is - bereikbaar voor iedereen!! Was 'n mooi album in de vooravond van...

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