O, Molly Dear- Mildred Webb (KY) 1959 Roberts
[From: In the Pine, Roberts and Agey, 1978. Their notes follow. Neither apparently understand this ballad (see notes where the ballad story is given).
R. Matteson 2016]
35. O MOLLY DEAR.
(Laws M 4)
This is a typical British import usually cailed "The Drowsy Sleeper," or "Awake, Awake," and has been collected many times in England. The early story is somewhat simple: A lover who has been fickle steals up to the constant girl's window and tries to make up. In some versions she refuses and he goes away with passion cooled. In elaborations of the story she calls him back, or lets him have his will, and then he leaves her in distress. In many texts in America he hears of a weapon in her father's hand. In the last stanzas of many texts the weapon is brought into use by the father. The lovers sometimes kill themselves with the weapon, a silver dagger. This Romeo and Juliet tragedy is also found in another ballad called "The Silver Dagger." See my no. 61 below.
The most complete notes and parallels are given by Belden (BSM, pp. 118-123). The most texts, ten in number, are given by SharpK, no. 57. Many other parallels are listed in NCF, II, trV, no. 71. This one was sung and tape recorded by Mildred Dupuy Webb, Greenup County, in 1959.
1. "Oh, who is at my bedroom window?
Oh who is there to trouble me?"
"It is I, I, your own true lover,
Awake, arise and comfort me."
2. "O Molly dear, go ask your father
If you my bride can ever be,
And what he says come back and tell me,
It's the very last time I'll trouble thee."
3. "I dare not ask my father, Willie,
For he lies on his bed of rest,
And in his hand he holds a weapon
To kill the one that I love best."
4. "O Molly dear, go ask your mother
If you my bride can ever be,
And what she says come back and tell me,
It's the very last time I'll trouble thee."
5. "I dare not ask my mother, Willie,
For she lies on her bed of rest,
And in her hand she has a letter
That often speaks of your request[1]."
6. O Molly, Molly Melancholy[2],
You've caused my poor heart to break,
I've crossed the west lands of Kentucky,
I've crossed the ocean for your sake.
1. "disgrace" but very rarely found in North America. From the Scotch, "I Will Put My ship" versions.
2. This stanza is rare. See also Molly- sung by Zula Calico (AR) c.1928, Parler D ; from Ozark Folksong Collection; Reel 363, Item 7.