Meaning of "what might be tide"

[AFXX]

The lyrics of a traditional Irish song called Arthur McBride are as follows:

I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride
He and I took a stroll down by the by the sea side
A seeking good fortune and what might be tide
'Twas just as the day was a dawning
After resting we both took a tramp
We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp
Besides the wee drummer who beat up for camp
With his rowdy dow dow in the morning

Does "what might be tide" mean "what is going on"? Is this idiom still in use in modern day English?

 

[jutfrank]

Where did you find that version? Are you sure you've got the lyrics right?

 

[5jj]

The last word of the third line is betide, one word.

 

[AFXX]

I no longer know where I dug out the text. I am sure though that the typo (be tide) is not my mistake.

 

[5jj]

If it was 'be tide' in the copy you saw, it was a mistake. Only the single word betide makes sense.

 

[jutfrank]

The last word of the third line is betide, one word.

Ah, that makes sense now.

 

[Tarheel]

I think it means they're prepared for whatever happens.

 

[Tdol]

Other versions of the lyrics on the internet use betide. Some use did betide rather than might.