Stringband arrangement of two trad. tunes
This version of Handsome Molly comes from a rendering of the banjo version by Tom Paley on The Folk Banjo, Electra.
Across the Sea is inspired by the playing of Murph Gribble, John Lusk and Albert York on Altemont: Black Stringband Music recorded in Rocky Island, Tennessee, 1946. This tune bears resemblance to Art Rosenbaum's version of Won't You Come and Go? also on The Folk Banjo, Electra.
lyrics
Handsome Molly
Wished I was in London,
or some other seaport town,
I'd set my foot on a steamboat
and sail the ocean round
Chorus
Sail across the ocean
Sail across the sea.
I'd think of Handsome Molly
Wherever she may be
I saw her in church last Sunday
and she passed me on by
I could tell her heart was changing
By the roving of her eye
Sail across the ocean
Sail across the sea.
I'd think of Handsome Molly
Wherever she may be
Now don't you remember Molly
When you gave me your right hand
You said if you'd ever marry
that I would be your man
Sail across the ocean
Sail across the sea.
I'd think of Handsome Molly
Wherever she may be
Now you have broken your promise
Go home with whom you please
While my poor heart is aching
Here lying at your ease
Sail across the ocean
Sail across the sea.
I'd think of Handsome Molly
Wherever she may be
Her hair as black as a raven
Her eyes as black as coal
Her cheeks shone like the Lillies
Out in the morning glow
Sail across the ocean
Sail across the sea.
I'd think of Handsome Molly
Wherever she may be
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