LOVELY MOLLY
(Canadian version of Irish trad. - late 19th cen.)


Fare you well, lovely Molly, I am 
going to leave you
And to the East Indies my course I
will steer
Don't let my long absence be a bother
to you, dear
For we will be married, you need never
fear.

Like some jolly little seaman I'll
dress and go with you
And in the midst of all danger I'll
stand as your friend
Those cold wintry winds, love, around
you be blowing
And I will be there for to wait on you
then.

Those pretty little hands, love, could
not stand a rough tackling
Those pretty little feet to the top
could not go
Those cold wintry winds you could not
endure them
So stay at home, darling, to the seas
do not go.

Those two lovers parted, they had
kissed plenty
The tears from her eyes down in
fountains did pour
Her lily-white hands on the deck she
kept wringing
Saying, "Fare you well, darling, I'll
never see you more."

As I was walking the streets of
Philadelphia
Strangee thoughts of my darling came
into my mind
I thought on the days, love, that we
spent in courting
But the salt seas have parted us now
for a time.
Don't let my long absence be a bother
to you, dear
Don't let my long journey cause you
any pain
Although we are parted I will be true
hearted
And I will return in the springtime
again.