Molly Bawn- Tim McGrath (ON) 1960 Fowke REC
[From Tape FO 74, Side 2 of Edith Fowke Tapes 1-94, York University (Library), Toronto, 1960. Reprinted Canadian Journal for Traditional Music (1986),
R. Matteson 2016]
Molly Bawn- sung by Tim McGrath of Erinsville, Ontarion in August 1960
O come all you young fowlers that handle the gun
Beware of late shooting at the setting of the sun.
Have you heard of this sad story that has happened of late
To Molly Bawn Clements whose beauty been great.
She been coming from her uncle's in a sharp shower of hail,
And under a green bush herself did conceal.
Her true lover been a-fowling, he mistook her as a swan,
And it was to his misfortune that he shot Molly Bawn.
o it's when he came up to her and it's her he did see,
His limbs they grew weak and his eyes could not see
As he rubbed her fair temples and found she was dead.
Then a welting of tears for his true love he shed.
Then it's home to his old father he quicklie did run
With his gun on his shoulder and he scarcely able to speak
Sayin' "Father, dearest father, do you know what I have done?
I have shot lovelie Molly at the setting of the sun.
Her white apron it being around her, I mistook her as a swan,
And it's to my sad misfortune that I shot Molly Bawn."
O up speaks his old father whose locks they were grey,
Saying, "I beg of you, my dear son, do not run away,
But stay in your own country till the trial it does come on
And you ne'er shall be hanged by the laws of our land."
O the night before the trial to her uncle she appeared,
Saying, "Uncle, dearest uncle, do not hang my dear,
My white apron it being around me, he mistook me as a swan,
And it's to his great misfortune that he shot Molly Bawn."
O it's Molly, lovelie Molly, you're my joy and hearts delight
And if you were living, we'd be wedded this night,
I would roll you in my arms, acushla graile machree,
But it's to my sad misfortune it was Molly I seen.