My Old Ragado

I am a Newfoundlander, Michael Carter is my name,
I was born in Grey Islands, a fisherman by fame;
Born in the morning, twenty minutes after two,
With my hands in the pockets of my old ragado.

Now, at the age of thirteen a-fishing I began,
I longed for a trade and I longed to be a man;
My youth it soon exhausted and a man I quickly grew,
With my hands in the pockets of my old ragado.

Now, at the age of thirty I'll tell you it's no shame,
I courted a pretty maiden, Susie Laden was her name;
Now Susie said she loved me and I love Susie, too,
With my hands in the pockets of my old ragado.

She was witty, she was pretty,
She was handsome, she was wise;
She had the best of all good nature,
You could see it in her eyes.
I made up my mind to leave her, so I bid goodbye to Sue,
With my hands in the pockets of my old ragado.

Says I, my pretty Susie, I have something else to say,
Do not think me so unworthy for to leave you in this way;
For to lead you to the altar is more than I can do,
With my hands in the pockets of my old ragado.

Oh no, says pretty Susie, I'm not a bit put out about that,
I knew the time would come when you'd turn me down right flat;
There's lots of men in Newfoundland just as good as you,
With your hands in the pockets of your old ragado.

I buttoned up my overcoat, put on my old black hat,
And thought myself quite lucky to get off so fine as that;
With the heel of my hand I wiped my mouth, I bid goodbye to Sue,
With my hands in the pockets of my old ragado.

Now that I am married and settled down in life,
With a cozy little cottage and a handsome little wife;
I often think upon the days when I was courting Sue,
With my hands in the pockets of my old ragado.

####.... Author unknown. Variant of Me Old Ragadoo sung to the tune of The Little Beggarman ....####

From a recitation by John F. Moore (1918-2000) of Placentia, NL.

A variant was collected in 1977 from Pius Power, Sr. of Southeast Bight, NL, by Genevieve Lehr and Anita Best and published as #77, Me Old Ragadoo in Come And I Will Sing You: A Newfoundland Songbook, pp.135-136, edited by Genevieve Lehr (University of Toronto Press © 1985/2003).

Genevieve Lehr noted Mr. Power learned this song from "old Steve Hynes of Southeast Bight, NL, about sixty years ago." [ca.1917?] Lehr also noted that a ragadoo is a general name for a tattered garment, presumably with pockets.

Variants were also recorded as Me Old Ragadoo by Anita Best (Crosshanded, 1997, Amber Music, Topsail, NL) and as The Old Ragadoo by Tamarack (The Fifteenth Anniversary Concert).