| Music File Barry Taylor |
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| This is also known as Molly Malone.
The earliest known version of Cockles and Mussles was published in London in 1884 by Francis Brothers and Day. The song is there described as "a comic song" written and composed by James Yorkston (of Scotland) and arranged by Edmund Forman. Because it is noted as printed with permission of an Edinburgh firm, there was clearly an earlier version. Although the song is the unofficial anthem of Dublin and generally regarded as Irish, it was, in fact, written by a Scotsman. Although much speculation has arisen as to the "true" identity of Molly Malone and her vocation, she is not traceable to a source and most legends are fake. |
In Dublin's fair city Where girls are so pretty Twas there that I first met Sweet Molly Malone As she wheeled her wheelbarrow Through streets broad and narrow Mussels, Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh Alive, alive oh, alive, alive oh, Crying, Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh Now she was a fishmonger And sure twas no wonder For so were her mother Ad father before And they each Wheeled their barrows Through streets broad and narrow 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 Now her ghost Wheels her barrow Through streets Broad and narrow Crying, Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh |
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From The Fireside Book of Folk Songs See Bibliography for full information. |
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