Pretty Molly- Wisenhunt (TN-OK) c.1945 Moores
[My date. From Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest by the Moores; 1964. Their notes follow. Curiously the Moores title this Gaspard Tragedy after Mackenzie's version in Nova Scotia. Perhaps Ethel Moore's stepmother, Mrs. Julia Whisenhunt is a relative of the informant. This standard version of the ballad was learned in Tennessee probably in the early 1900s.
R. Matteson 2016]
67 The Gaspard Tragedy
THere is close kinship between The Gaspard Tragedy and the ballad Jellon Grame (Child, No.90), as is evidenced by the contents of the ninth stanza. The former has difficulty in keeping a title long enough for identity. It originated about 1750. References may be found in the following: Brewster,298-99; Cox, 308-10; Creighton and Senior, 114-20; Greenleaf and Mansfield, 120; Henry, 229; Journal, Vol. XX, 261 (Kittredge); Mackenzie, Quest,55; Niles, More Songs, 2-3 ; Randolph, II, 112-I4; Scarborough, Song Catcher, 128-34; Sharp, I, 317-27; and Wyman and Brockway.
Pretty Molly, sung by Mrs. M. E. Whisenhunt of Slick. She learned it from Nona Williams, who came from Tennessee.
"Oh Molly, pretty Molly, come go with me,
Oh Molly, pretty Molly, come go with me,
Oh Molly, pretty Molly, come go with me,
Strange countries for to see."
She jumped up behind him, away they did ride,
She jumped up behind him, away they did ride,
She jumped up behind him, away they did ride;
They rode to the greenwood side.
They rode over hill and valley so deep,
They rode over hill and valley so deep,
They rode over hill and valley so deep;
This poor girl began to weep.
He threw his arms round her, saying, "Suffer no fear,"
He threw his arms round her, saying, "Suffer no fear,"
He threw his arms round her, saying, "Suffer no fear,
While with your dearest dear."
They rode on a little farther and they did spy,
They rode on a little farther and they did spy,
They rode on a little farther and they did spy
A new-made grave with spade lying by.
"Oh light, pretty Molly, and stand close by,
Oh light, pretty Molly, and stand close by,
Oh light, pretty Molly, and stand close by.
In this grave you soon will lie."
"Oh, spare my life!" now so low she did lie,
"Oh, spare my life!" now so low she did lie,
"Oh, spare my life!" now so low she did lie,
"For I'm not prepared to die."
He took no pity on that fair lady,
He took no pity on that fair lady,
He took no pity on that fair lady,
No pity for her body.
He pierced her through her fair body,
He pierced her through her fair body,
He pierced her through her fair body,
But saved the dear baby.
He threw some dirt o'er her and turned to go home,
He threw some dirt o'er her and turned to go home,
He threw some dirt o'er her and turned to go home,
The birds to weep, nobody to mourn.