Oh, Molly, oh, Molly, Oh, Molly, said he,

voiceCollected by Max Hunter (H-6 ) For Mary C. Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors Sung by Mrs. Ed Newton Gainesville, Missouri June 10, 1958 Reel 250, Item 1 Molly Girl Oh, Molly, oh, Molly, Oh, Molly, said he, Go fix up your mind And be married to thee. Oh, Willie, oh, Willie, Oh, Willie, said she, I am now too young To be married to thee. She went to his window The dawn of the day: I've now got consent To be married to thee. He took her by the hand And led her o'er the valley so deep, He led this fair damsel Till she began to weep. Oh, Willie, oh, Willie, Oh, Willie, said she, I am now afraid You are going to lead me astray. Oh, Molly, oh, Molly, Oh, Molly, said he, You are guessing just right, For I was digging of your grave The biggest part of last night. He took her by the hand And led her o'er the valley so deep. He led this fair damsel Till she began to weep. He led her little further Before she did spy, Her grave it was dug And the spade standing by. She threw her arms around him And spoke with a fear, How can you kill a girl That has loved you so dear. Molly Girl (Cont'd) Reel 250, Item 1 (Cont'd) Oh, Molly, oh, Molly, Oh, Molly, said he, I know you're the prettiest girl That ever was born; I once enjoyed your beauty, But now you are gone. He opened her bosom, Which is twice as white as snow, And through her heart he stuck a pen knife, Which caused much blood to flow. He laid her in her grave, And walked off toward home, Leaving nothing but the small birds To hear poor Molly's groans. The ship it was waiting Along the seaside; He swore by his Maker He would sail the other side. He raised the sail And away he did fly, Still thinking of poor Holly How hard she did die. The sea it did roar And the ship it did whirl, He still a-thinking how hard He had murdered the poor Molly girl. He raised his sail And away he did fly, Still thinking of poor Molly How hard she did die. He sailed and he sailed To his own heart's content; At last there sprung a leak in the ship, To the bottom she went. Come all you young courters, And take warning by me; I warn you of young lovers Who killed the Molly girl.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation