Molly Vaunder- Ella Wilson (WV) c1901 Boette
[From Boette, Singa Hipsy Doodle pp. 58-59. Collected by Juanita Dawson as sung by her mother Tarshia Rexroad, taken from her mother Ella Wilson about 1901. Dawson's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2016]
The music of the first verse goes with the name "Vaunder"; the words of the other verses rhyme with "Vaughn." At least the first three letters are the same.
Listen: http://www2.ferrum.edu/applit//studyg/West/audio/molvau.aif
Molly Vaunder- Collected by Juanita Dawson as sung by her mother Tarshia Rexroad, taken from her mother Ella Wilson about 1901.
Molly Vaunder went a walking, when a shower came on;
She went under a birch tree the shower to shun.
Jimmie Randells was a hunting, a hunting in the dark.
He shot at his true love and he missed not his mark.
He picked up his gun, to his uncle did run
Saying, “Uncle, dearest uncle, I have killed Molly Vaughn!
I’ve killed that fair damsel, the joy of my life,
And I always intended to make her my wife.”
Up stepped Jimmie’s father, with his locks turning gray
Saying, “Jimmie, dearest Jimmie, do not run away.
Stay in your country till your trial comes on;
You ne’er shall be hurt for killing Mollie Vaughn.”
On the day of Jimmie’s trial, Mollie’s ghost did appear.
“Say, ye gentlemen of the jury, young Jimmie goes clear.
With a white apron round me, he took me for a swan
And Jimmie shall ne’er be hurt for killing Mollie Vaughn.”