Molly Bann- Eula M. Garrott (AR) 1952 Wolf REC
[From: The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas (2 recordings). Listen: http://web.lyon.edu/wolfcollection/songs/garrottmolly1232.html
R. Matteson 2016]
(Dr. Wolf: "Molly Bann," . . . by Mrs. E.P.J. Garrott (Eula Maxfield Garrott) of Batesville, Arkansas. She learned the song at Sylamore, Arkansas, when she was a child.")
MOLLY BANN- Sung by: Eula Maxfield Garrott (Mrs. E.P.J. Garrott)rRecorded in Batesville, AR, 7/18/52 also 7/4/61.
I took my gun one evening
A-hunting for a swan.
Molly Bann out a-walking;
A shower of rain come on.
She stepped under some bushes,
The rain for to shun,
Her white apron pinned 'round her.
I shot her for a swan.
I picked her all in my arms,
And I took her to my home,
Crying, "Father, oh, father,
Oh, looky here what I've done.
"It wasn't my intention
To take her sweet life,
But it was my intention
To make her my dear wife."
He stepped to the window,
His hair a-being gray,
Saying, "Willie, oh, Willie,
Oh, don't run away.
"Stay in your country,
Your trial for to stand.
You will never be hurt
For the murder of Molly Bann."