Lyr/Chords Req: Molly Leigh / Mally Lee

Subject: Molly Leigh
From: Rob the Ranter
Date: 01 May 00 - 02:33 AM

I heard this song perormed by a group called Whiskers Galore but can not recall the lyrycs.

Here is the Chorus:

And they've all gone east and west theyve all gone aye and lee they've all gone east and west Afoot wi Molly Leigh.

Thanks

Subject: Lyr Add: MALLY LEE
From: john c
Date: 01 May 00 - 05:51 AM

I only know the version by Archie Fisher - he sings it under the name Mally Lee. Apparently its an old Edinburgh song about Mrs Mally Sleigh who married Lord Lyon Brodie of Brodie in 1725 or theierabouts. These words are more or less Archies with a few alterations Ive picked up on the way.

When Mally Lee cam doon the street,her Capuchin did flee
She coost a look behind her, to see her negligee

And were all going east and west, were a going aye agee
Were all going east and west, a-coorting Mally Lee

All along the Canongate were beaux of ilk degree
And mony an ane turned roond tae look at boony Mally Lee

From Seatons Land a countess fair looked ower a window hie
And pined to see the gently shape of bonny Mally Lee

The dance gaed through the palace hall, a comely sight to see
But nane was there sae bricht and braw as bonny Mally Lee

The prince cam oot frae mang them all, wi garter at his knee
And danced a stately minuet wi bonny Mally Lee

Hope this helps,
cheers
John

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Molly Leigh
From: KathWestra
Date: 01 May 00 - 04:38 PM

You can hear Archie's singing of "Mally Lee" -- along with lots of other good stuff -- on his Folk-Legacy recording. Archie sings the "We're all gone east and west..." verse in John's transcription above as a chorus. John, I don't have the words in front of me, but think there may be a typo in your chorus. Isn't it "aGlee"? Kathy (who was too busy playing cello on that particular recording to pay much careful attention to the words, and who would heartily recommend the record even if she wasn't on it)

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Molly Leigh
From: john c
Date: 02 May 00 - 01:54 AM

You could be right, there - I scribbled down the words a long, long time ago and its more than possible that Archie sings aglee. Having said that, Ive dug deeper and found a copy of the first verse and chorus on an old songsheet and there the chorus goes
And were a´gaun east and west
Were a´gaun AJEE
Were a`gaun east and west
Courtin´Molly Lee.
Incidentaly, I havent heard Kathy playing on that particular song, but I did hear her on The Man with a Rhyme record. One of my alltime favourites!!
cheers, John.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Molly Leigh
From: GUEST,Wes Rine
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 08:32 PM

Subject: Lyr Add: MALLY LEE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 12:55 AM

From Traditions of Edinburgh, Volume 2 by Robert Chambers (Edinburgh: W. & C. Tait, 1825), page 61:


[MALLY LEE]

1. As Mally Lee cam' down the street, her capuchin did flee;
She coost a look behind her, to see her negligee.

[CHORUS] And we're a' gaun east and wast, we're a' gaun agee,
We're a' gaun east and wast, courtin' Mally Lee.

2. She had twa lappets at her head, that flaunted gallantlie,
And ribbon-knots at back and breast of bonnie Mally Lee.

3. A' down alang the Canongate, were beaux o' ilk degree;
And mony ane turned round to look at bonnie Mally Lee.

4. And ilka bab her pompoon gied, ilk lad thought that's to me;
But feint a ane was in the thought of bonnie Mally Lee.

5. Frae Seton's Land* a Countess fair look'd owre a window hie,
And pined to see the genty shape of bonnie Mally Lee.

6. And when she reached the Palace porch, there lounged Yerls three;
And ilk ane thought his Kate or Meg a drab to Mally Lee.

7. The dance gaed through the Palace ha', a comely sight to see;
But nane was there sae bright or braw as bonnie Mally Lee.

8. Though some had jewels in their hair, like stars 'mang cluds did shine,
Yet Mally did surpass them a', wi' but her glancin' eyne.

9. A Prince cam' out frae 'mang them a', wi' garter at his knee,
And danced a stately rigadoon, wi' bonnie Mally Lee.


* There was another house in Edinburgh distinguished by the name of Seton's Land. It stood, and perhaps still stands, in Libberton's Wynd.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Molly Leigh / Mally Lee
From: GUEST,Ros Swann
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 09:08 PM

Nice to find this. It's about my great great great (maybe one more) grandmother.