Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree
From: leeneia
Date: 04 Sep 17 - 12:27 PM

Flash! I've decided to put an Em in meas. 23 and a Bm at the second-to-last measure.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree
From: leeneia
Date: 04 Sep 17 - 11:31 AM

Here's a pleasant YouTube video of the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzWjjoAZxxY

It's in 3/4 time, key of D. Goes up to E -- a good song for a tenor.
Chords seem to be D, A and G. Perhaps an Em might substitute for a G at times.

I've made a MIDI, if anybody's interested.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree
From: JMB
Date: 01 Sep 17 - 06:11 PM

I actually looked for an autobiography or biography novel of him on Google, but mostly found wikipedia and other sites with brief summaries on him. It would be nice if a novel was written about him. It would be a great read.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree
From: JMB
Date: 01 Sep 17 - 06:05 PM

It is a beautiful song I agree, and the album as a whole is great too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree
From: meself
Date: 28 Aug 17 - 10:21 PM

You know, it's funny - I was just listening to that album and his recording of that song for perhaps the first time - I've had the tape for about fifteen years, but don't remember ever listening to the whole thing. Anyway, I was thinking about what a beautiful song it is, and then sat down and opened up Mudcat, and what should I find ....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree
From: JMB
Date: 28 Aug 17 - 07:41 PM

I wondered about the origins of this song and if there was a known author. It was recorded by Cape Breton's John Allan Cameron on his album "Wind Willow."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Molly Bawn / Boating on Lough Ree
From: Peader
Date: 09 Jun 16 - 11:38 AM

I was reading - with interest the Molly Bawn threads but did not recognize the "original" song until I hit this thread. I have known this version for 50 years and still play it on occasion.
I have learned a great deal today to add to my understanding of this song. Apparently I know the version BOATING ON LOUGH REE in Amatory Poems by John Keegan Casey [1816-1849] which originally was Mary Ban (fair/white). My family tree is full of ban & dubh (fair & dark/black).
Very interesting thread!

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Molly Bawn (Boating on Lough Ree)
From: GUEST,eddie
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 05:45 PM

my brother has a book wrote by casey while in jail havent read it but will ask him is there anything in it on this subject

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Molly Bawn (Boating on Lough Ree)
From: GUEST,Kathy O'Neill
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 10:06 PM

Martin, I am doing some research on my family and was fascinated to find this song about Mary Hanley from the Black Island in Lough Ree back 150 years ago. My grandfather, Bernard Hanley was born on the Black Islands around 1893, emigrated to the US in 1913. I visited Longford back in summer of 2008, and found my Hanley cousins. Paddy Hanley lived on the Island until about 10 years ago!

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Molly Bawn (Boating on Lough Ree)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 08:05 PM

Thanks for that, Sandy - very interesting.

Regards

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Molly Bawn (Boating on Lough Ree)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 07:04 PM

I first learned Molly Bawn from the singing of Sid Martell (see above) on the old Cape Breton Barn Dance show on CJCB-TV. I have a recording of Charley MacKinnon singing a sequel, The Son Of Molly Bawn, but I am missing a few words. If anyone can fill in the blanks would they please post them in? I would be happy to send anyone an mp3 of Charley's song.
   Thanks!
            Sandy

The Son Of Molly Bawn

The deepening shadows softly fell one evening years ago
Down by the banks of the blue Loch Ri where the bonny bluebells grow
Down by the ------- in the river's ----- where my daddy told to me
The story of young Molly Bawn a-boating on Loch Ri

A locket and a chain of gold he then did give to me
And told me of the love he knew and cherished tenderly
How the angels claimed his bonny young bride, to Heaven she had gone
But she left to him another love, the son of Molly Bawn

Now where the blue Loch Ri flows to the sea in a little churchyard there
The bonny heather grows around the grave of one so fair
And every evening shadows fall and slowly lights the dawn
From her home above she smiles with love on the son of Molly Bawn

Oh she was tall and slender, her eyes like diamonds shone
They sparkled like stars that shine o'er the skies at early dawn
Her smile so fai,r her beauty rare that ere the sun shone on
And that smile of love shines from above on the son of Molly Bawn

Subject: RE: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST,A son of Eire.
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 11:09 PM

Take off those clothes your wearing Bryano. For that you truly vex me Bryano.That you would be the villain to accept the FRee STate shilling.and do their dirty killing Bryano.Twas Michael Collins did it Molly Bonn.He the traitor sold us to the crown.He pledged his word of honour to murder Rory OConnor.You let down your nations honour Bryano.

Subject: Lyr Add: MOLLY BAWN / BOATING ON LOUGH REE
From: GUEST,E. Martell
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 11:45 AM

Hi,

This song was recorded by Cape Breton singer Sid Martell on an old LP called "Hill and Dale". He is since passed away, and I often perform this song.
I sing very similar words as were last posted by Guest, D.C. with a few variations on some words:

MOLLY BAWN
(Boating on Lough Ree)

Here I am sad and lonely here in this distant west,
For the pleasant dreams of bygone days at night disturb my rest,
But in this faithful heart of mine forgotten never shall be
Are the days I spent with Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

For she was tall and slender, and gentle as a fawn,
Her eyes they shone like diamonds bright o'er the stars of early dawn,
A smile she had for everyone, but her kisses were only for me,
At chance, I gazed on Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

And when she said she'd be my bride how happy then was I,
How pleasant were the hours of love and how swiftly they passed by,
A heavenly light shone in her eyes, she was too good for me,
And an angel claimed her for his own and took her from Lough Ree.

Here, I have travelled this stormy world, my hair is silvery hue,
A plaintive voice rings in my ears, - it's tones I can't subdue,
Her lovely form it haunts me still and a face I think I see,
Yes, It is the face of Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

Here I am sad and lonely here in this distant west,
For the pleasant dreams of bygone days at night disturb my rest,
But in this faithful heart of mine forgotten never shall be
Are the days I spent with Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: MartinRyan
Date: 03 Feb 06 - 03:58 AM

That you Declan?

Coincidentally, I just got the "Reliques " book from a long and expensive visit to the bookbinders! I'll have a good look at it over this weekend.

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add: MOLLY BAWN / BOATING ON LOUGH REE
From: GUEST,D.C.
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 07:54 PM

Martin, dont know if this issue is still alive, but for what its worth:
The original title of Keegan Casey's poem was 'Mary Bawn', but when The McNulty Family set it to music and recorded it in New York on the 11th June 1942, they called it 'Molly Bawn'. Mary Brennan recorded it as the title track on her album, 'Boating On Lough Ree', in 2004. The lyrics as set out here are taken from The McNulty recording.


MOLLY BAWN
(Boating on Lough Ree)

Here I am sad and lonely all in the distant west,
And those pleasant dreams of bygone days at night disturb my rest,
But in this faithful heart of mine forgotten never shall be
The days I spent with Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

For she was young and slender, as gentle as a fawn,
Her eyes they shone like diamonds bright o'er the stars of early dawn,
A smile she had for everyone, but her kisses were all for me,
Entranced I gazed on Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

And when I claimed her for my bride how happy then was I,
How pleasant were the hours of love and how quickly they passed by,
A pleasant light shone in her eyes, she was too good for me,
When an angel claimed her for his own and took her from Lough Ree.

Now, I have travelled the stormy world, my hair is silvery hue,
A plaintive voice rings in my ears, - it's tones I can't subdue,
A lovely form it haunts me still and a pleasant face I can see,
It is the face of Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

For she was young and slender, as gentle as a fawn,
Her eyes they shone like diamonds bright o'er the stars of early dawn,
Her smile she had for everyone, but her kisses were all for me,
Entranced I gazed on Molly Bawn a Boating on Lough Ree.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 19 Aug 05 - 01:58 AM

I have ordered a book on the life and work of JKC, titled "Come Tell Me Sean O'Farrel". If it contains anything relevant, I'll post it.
(PS How much do you want for your copy of "Reliques"!).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 04:03 PM

The world is full of misunderstandings! I thought you meant you had given Tim the "Reliques" book for his CD! Good deal! I now understand what you meant.

I'll check the "Mary Hanley" idea whrn I get a chance - sounds plausible

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 08:43 AM

Martin: I've just had another read of the letter that Tim D. enclosed with his CD. In he said,

"There are a couple of errors [in the sleeve notes], including, strangely, the dates for John Keegan Casey". Wish I had noticed that earlier.

Since Casey also wrote "Máire My Girl", I wonder if this song could also have been inspired by Mary Hanley, since "Máire" is of course Irish for Mary? Is this song in the book that you have? If so, any clues as to its origins?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 01:32 PM

GUEST: just noticed your post. You're thinking of "The Boys of Mullaghbawn": a great, but different song (set in south Armagh in 1790-91).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 01:30 PM

Thanks Martin. Great song by "Leo". Very sad that both he and his girlfriend died so young in separate tragic circumstances.

Re Tim D, he has the book (for what it's worth): swapped for his "Blue Green Door" album! (Which is terrific).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 11:19 AM

Just to throw a spanner in the works dare I suggest that there is an Irish Song which refers to Mollabon. Probably titled "From Mollabon" maybe but don't think it was "Boys of Mollabon".

I remember two phrases - "Down by a farmers station, for the living has been taken" and "In meadows and green lawn"

very much a lament or homesickness kind of song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 09:50 AM

Big Tim

Only just seen your posting - been away a while.

Tim seems to have the dates wrong - rather than the authorship. The poem is definitely by J K Casey a.k.a. Leo. I recently picked up a copy of "Reliques of John Keegan Casey" published in 1878. It's in there as part of the "Amatory Poems" mentioned by Tim.

Coincidentally, I've been promising to show Tim the book - but keep either misssing him, or leaving it behind me on my way to festivals!

Regards

Martin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From:
Date: 06 Aug 05 - 04:24 PM

Somewhere in the archives of the Cdn Journal of Traditional Music there is an article on this song. Can't remember what they discovered:

CJTM Archives

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 05 Aug 05 - 01:38 PM

Martin, are you sure Tim D's got it right re "Boating on Lough Ree"?
Casey's dates are in fact, 1846-70. He was a Fenian and wrote "The Rising of the Moon" and the love song "Maire My Girl". He died from TB picked up in prison.

Could "Boating on Lough Ree" have been written by John Keegan, whose dates are, 1809-49.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 03 May 05 - 03:12 PM

Tim Dennehy's version of "Boating on Lough Ree" is on his CD "The Blue Green Door", on Sceilig Records, 2002. It's a beautiful piece of work.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 04:35 PM

Click here for a biography of Leo.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 01:45 PM

There's even more to the story of "Leo", as he was known - I'll dig out any other threads involving his songs and add as appropriate.

Regards

Subject: Origins: Molly Bonn
From:
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 01:32 PM

Thanks Martyn for the origins of this song, which is quite different than the one commonly known by the Molly Bawn name. It certainly is lovely, and with the story attached, it's an amazing love song.

Reminds me of the story of Maggie/When You and I were Young.

Subject: Lyr Add: BOATING ON LOUGH REE (John Keegan Casey)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 11:35 AM

OK. Here it is as Tim recorded it, with notes:

BOATING ON LOUGH REE
Lyrics: John Keegan Casey (1816-1849), From 'Amatory Poems'.

Mary Hanley came from The Black Island off Lough Ree on the River Shannon. John Keegan Casey was teaching in Newtowncashel, County Longford when he was eighteeen years and went boating every Sunday with the Costello family. On one of these outings he met and fell in love with Mary. The love affair was short-lived, however, as Mary was drowned in a boating accident on the lake and the poet penned this gentle lament. My thanks to Áine Meenaghan, Maighréad Casey and Michael Casey.

Here I am now sad and lonely all in the distant west.
The happy scenes of bygone days at night disturb my rest.
For in this faithful heart of mine forgotten it never can be,
Those days I spent with my Mary Bán a-boating on Lough Ree.

Oh she was young and so beautiful, she was gentle as a fawn.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds bright or the stars at early dawn.
Her smiles she had for everyone but her kisses were all for me,
And entranced I gazed on my Mary Bán a-boating on Lough Ree.

And she pledged herself to be my bride, how happy then was I.
How dulcet were the joys of love how quickly they flew by.
But Heaven's own light shone in her eyes she was too good for me
And an angel claimed her for his own and he took her from Lough Ree.

I have crossed through many's the thorny path my hair's a silvery hue.
Yet her thrilling voice speaks to my heart in tones I can't subdue.
Her comely form still haunts my mind her pleasing face I see,
It's the blushing face of Mary Bán a-boating on Lough Ree.

And it leaves me sad and so lonely now in this far distant west.
The happy scenes of bygone days at night disturb my rest;
For in this faithful heart of mine forgotten it never can be
The days I spent with my Mary Bán a-boating on Lough Ree


So it looks like someone changed Mary to Molly and sowed confusion.

Regards
Martin Ryan
p.s. The Black Islands (sic) are on the east side of Lough Ree - and are now only inhabited by common scoter!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 11:24 AM

The "Boating on Lough Ree" song is unrelated to Molly Bawn/Polly Vaughan etc etc. I think its a lament for a lost love, by John Keegan Casey (aka Leo). Tim Dennehy recorded it recently. I'll check out his version.

Regards

p.s. The Lough Ree in question is the one on the River Shannon, north of Athlone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 11:09 AM

Does this have anything to do with Polly Von?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn (Guest, Bernie)
From: GUEST, GEST
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 02:35 PM

Try this, Bernie. :-)

http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/04/molly.htm

Subject: Lyr Add: MOLLY BAWN (from Dennis Ryan/Ryan's Fancy
From: GUEST,Bernie
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 10:21 AM

Dennis Ryan does a nice version on an old Ryan's Fancy LP entitled "Sea People". It may be a Newfoundland version of an older Irish song, as so many are. His lyrics are as follows:

MOLLY BAWN
(from Dennis Ryan/Ryan's Fancy)

'Tis I am sad and lonely, down in the distant west.
The happy dreams of boyhood years at night disturbs my rest,
For it's in this weary heart of mine to forget it ne'er shall be,
Of the days I spent with Molly Bawn, a-boating on Loch Ri.

She was young and beautiful as gentle as the fawn.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds bright, like stars at early dawn.
A smile she had for every lad but her love was all for me,
When first I gazed on Molly Bawn, a-boating on Loch Ri.

When she said she'd be my bride, how happy then was I.
The pleasant dreams of boyhood years, how swiftly they've flown by.
The heaven's light shone in her eyes. She was too good for me.
An angel claimed her for his own and took her from Loch Ri.

Oh, I have lived a stormy life. My hair is a silvery hue.
A plaintive voice rings in my ear in tones I can't subdue.
A lovely form still lingers there, and a face I think I see.
Oh, that's the face of Molly Bawn, a-boating on Loch Ri.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From:
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 08:47 PM

Nutby, whom did you hear it from?

I know Hair of the Dog's Will Penney does the song. Not too many people I know sing it, so I'm really curious.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 09:00 PM

I have often heard this song called Molly Bond in Nova Scotia. It seems that I recall an American recording using this title.
It would seem that "Ban" , the Gaelic word for "fair" was corrupted to "Bond" or "Bawn". The only problem is that the adjective of a fem. noun in Gaelic would be aspirated to "bh" (V) sound. Molly Van or Molly Von. Loch Righ (ree) is Gaelic for Kings Lake.
             Sandy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: Susan of DT
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 06:13 PM

This does not sound like the usual Molly Bawn/Polly Vaughn (Laws O36 and DT #308). There is another song with Molly Bawn in the title that sounds closer, but still not right.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 06:12 PM

There are a good few songs called Molly Bawn or Molly Ban. Never seen it spelled "Bonn", mind you. The song you want was posted here last March (text only); see this discussion:

Molly Bawn.. How many do you know?

Even if you are unsure of a title, you can generally find things here via the excellent onsite search engine, which you will find on the main Forum page: use a short phrase from the bit of text you remember. In this case, boating on Loch found it.

Subject: Lyr Req: Molly Bonn
From:
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 06:02 PM

I heard this song in Nova Scotia. Some of the lyrics are: dear I am sad
and lonely, here in this distant land, boating on Loch Rea? etc.
Not sure if it is Nova Scotian in origin, maybe a version of a different
song. Any help w/thanks