Little Mollie- Varnell/Harmon (GA-TN) 1929 Henry B
[From: Mellinger E. Henry's Folk Songs From the Southern Highlands, 1938. His notes follow.
This version, which may be traced back to the Hicks/Harmon clan in North Carolina, retains the broadside name, Mollie. Also retained is her response: " I am too young to get married to you." Her ghost visits Willie as the ship is sinking: "Up stepped little Mollie all in a gore of blood," which is similar to the broadside "Polly's Love."
Sam Harmon also recorded a version for the LOC.
R. Matteson 2016]
COME, PRETTY POLLY See Campbell and Sharp, No. 39; Kittredge, Journal, XX, 261; Wyman and Brockway, 79; New Jersey Journal of Education, March, 1926. For full history of this song see Cox's head-note to No. 89.
B. "Little Mollie." Obtained from Mrs. Mary Tucker, Varnell, Georgia, February, 1929. Mrs. Tucker is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Harmon, formerly of Cade's Cove, Tennessee.
1. "Little Mollie, little Mollie," said he,
"Will you degree[1], and get married to me?
I have a fair[2] off friend,
That we will go and see."
2. "Sweet Willie, sweet Willie," said she,
"I am afraid I am too young to get married to you."
"Little Mollie, oh, no, you are just right
For I have been digging at your grave all the best part of last night."
3. He led her over valleys and hollows so deep
Till, at last, poor little Mollie, so bitterly she did weep.
He led her up the mountain so high,
Until she came to her grave, and a spade a-laying by.
4. She threw her arms around him with a love hug and a fear.
"How can you kill a poor little girl, who has loved you so dear?"
"I have got no time to tarry, or fool here with you."
He pulled his hand out of his pocket, a sharp knife he drew.
5. He pierced her to the heart, oh! how the blood did flow!
And into her grave her dead body he threw.
He covered her up and went his way home;
Left nothing but the small birds to hear his sad moan.
6. As he was sailing all on his heart's delight,
The ship it was sinking, and nearly out of sight.
Up stepped little Mollie all in a gore of blood,
Saying that "A debt you owe the devil, and now you have it to pay."
2. agree.
3. far.