Looking for Molly Malone lyrics?
You will likely stumble across a statue of a woman pulling a wheelbarrow while you explore Dublin’s various neighborhoods. Molly Malone’s statue was erected in 1988 when Dublin celebrated its official millennium milestones. It was also dedicated to her memory. Since then, June 13 has been commemorated in Ireland as Molly Malone’s Day.
But who exactly was Molly Malone? Molly is said to have been Mary Malone. She passed away on June 13, 1699, from typhoid disease, according to a widely circulated tradition. She was a lovely young woman who spent her days working as a fishmonger in Dublin Bay, where she sold cockles and mussels to customers. However, as the sun went down, instead of shells and fish, she sold her own body.
Molly’s story and the struggles of young women in 17th-century Dublin inspired the ballad “Molly Malone,” also known as “Cockles and Mussels,” which was written as a tribute to Molly. However, it was not published until the year 1883. This song has, more or less, become the unofficial anthem of Dublin, which is known as the “fair city.” Additionally, due to the widespread acceptance of Irish folk music, Molly’s name is now well-known in many parts of the world. Her name is on the sign of hundreds of bars worldwide.
On the other hand, there is no evidence to support the notion that the song is based on a real woman. The name “Molly” is a shortened form of the more traditional names Mary and Margaret from which it was derived. There have been a lot of people with the name “Molly” Malone born in Dublin over the years, but there is no proof linking any of them to the events described in the song.
At the very least, the song may be traced back to 1876, when it was included in a collection of music called “Songs from English and German Universities” released in Boston.
The song is said to be in the music hall style of the time. While it is not entirely possible to rule out that it is “based on an older folk song,” neither the melody nor the words “bear any relationship to the Irish tradition of street ballads.” The song is written in a well-known tragicomic mode that was common during that time. It was most likely influenced by earlier songs that had a similar theme, such as “Oh My Darling, Clementine” by Percy Montrose, which was written around the year 1880.
Molly Malone Song And Lyrics
Listen to the legendary tune here. You may also sing along by referring to the song’s lyrics below.
Molly Malone Lyrics
In Dublin’s fair city
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!”
Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh”
She was a fishmonger
And sure ’twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they both wheeled their barrows
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh
She died of a fever
And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Alive, alive, oh
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.