Here is another request for help on the origins of a song. Thanks you in advance for any help you might provide.

Although I sing mainly Irish traditional material, I have been learning a song called Irish Molly, which has a strong "music hall" type of feel to it. I have been trying to research the origins of the song, so that I can fit it into my band's largely traditional repertoire (for a change of pace). In the book where I found the song, it says that it is traditional, arranged by Alfred Moffat and Frank Kidson. Based on MudCat and google searches, both of these people appear to be turn of the century collectors of traditional tunes and songs. I understand that Moffat published a book called Minstrelry of Scotland and Kidson published 2 books, Traditional Tunes, and a volume on songs and dances.

All of that said. How would I go about finding out when this song was actually "arranged" and if it is traditional in origin, why does it sound so vaudvillian? The verse sounds very much like a traditional polka, with a few non traditional notes, but the b part (chorus) does not sound traditional at all. I find myself greatly intrigued by this song - it really crosses the line between it's tune origins and music hall material. Also, if Moffat is Scottish and Kidson is English, what exactly is the origin of this song. Even though it is about "Irish Molly" and I found it in an Irish Ballads book, is it originally Irish?

On a broader note, what type of collectors were Moffat and Kidson? Were they traditionalists that wrote music hall material for fun or money, or were they collectors of traditional tunes that sought to "fix" the tunes by making them "regular" and fitting them to what was then the modern musical style? I know that they collaborated on a few songs and if so, what others did they work on and how much did they change the original material when they "collaborated"?

The song Irish Molley has a 1929 copyright, but I imagine that is simple the date it was copywritten, and that the song orignated on an earlier date.

I am so intrigued by all of this. If there is anyone out there (Malcolm???) with thoughts on this, I would really appreciate your input.

Thanks very much,

Claire

Round the House www.geocities.com/rthfiddler