I remember hearing and singing this song from childhood. As I've grown up, I've known so many people whose good name has been slandarized, even publically, as a result of one jealousy or another. And false or not, those slandars often remain as the only remembered testimony. And this is what I believe is the case regarding the history of Molly Malone.

As I recall, the question that is supposed to be asked is not who or what Molly Malone was, but rather who was the original singer and why did he sing this song about this woman?

It was told to me that the singer is actually her husband. Molly, a hard working woman from a hard working family, was seen by this young lad in his youth. He fell in love with her, married her, and eventually watched sadly as his wife died in his arms. The song is supposed to be both a tribute to her and a warning to us all not to miss the love as we may find it, or let the beautiful opportunity of life pass us by. A reminder that one day, it will be too late.