The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #159967   Message #3791632
Posted By: Richie
22-May-16 - 11:24 PM
Thread Name: DTStudy: Molly Bawn (Polly Vaughn)
Subject: Lyr Add: MOLLY WHAN
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This thread is intended to serve as a forum for corrections and annotations for the Digital Tradition song named in the title of this thread.

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Hi,

This is a thread for a study of the ballad Molly Bawn (Polly Vaughn) as suggested by Steve Gardham and Brian Peters. There are already some threads with information.

Here's the Pitts broadside:

Molly Whan.

Printed and sold by J. Pitts 14 Great st. Andrew street 7 Dials

A story, a story, to you I'll relate,
Of a loving young damsel a Maying she went,
As she was a Maying a shower it began,
she went under the green bush the shower to shun,

As Jemmy was fowling with his dog and his gun.
He to his great grief shot his dear Molly Whan.
And when he came to her and found it was she,
His limbs they did tremble his eyes could scarce see

Then home to his father away he did run,
saying father dear father great harm have I done
I've shot the fairest creature that ever was known,
I have shot my true love my dear Molly Whan.

His father came running with hair handing grey,
Saying Jemmy love, Jemmy love don't run away
Stay in your own country 'till trial come on,
I'll warrant you'll be righted by the laws of the land

In two or three nights after the lady did appear,
saying uncle loveing uncle pray let my love clear
For my apron hung round me took me for a swan
But to his great grief shot his dear Molly Whan

set them up all together stand them all in a row,
Molly Whan was the fairest like mountain of snow,
Curse light upon Toby who lent me his gun,
Which to my great grief shot my dear Molly Whan.

Richie