US & Canada Versions: 4. Molly Bawn (Polly Vaughn)

US & Canada Versions: 4. Molly Bawn (Polly Vaughn)

 
               Woodcut of Polly Wand,
    a broadside printed in Boston c. 1810


[This British ballad of an accidental shooting has been collected throughout The US and Canada. There appears to be no central point of dissemination. The ballad is believed to be of Irish origin[1] but has been found elsewhere in the UK, but rarely in Scotland. It was brought over to Maritime Canada mainly by Irish/English settlers and also to New England where it has been found in New York, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, and down to Pennsylvania. From there it traveled west to Ohio and Michigan. The ballad also was brought to the Appalachian region (Irish/Scottish/English settlers) where it traveled from the Virginia Colony to North Carolina and points westward (Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee) to the mid-west. It is rarer in Canada but has been published twice as collected in Maritime Canada (Karpeles, NL in 1929; and Creighton NS, in 1950) and Fowke has collected a number of versions from Ontario, three of which are in my collection.

At least two broadside print versions were made in the US before 1900:

1. "Polly Wand, together with the Beggar girl, and Tom Starboard," Isaiah Thomas Broadside Ballads Project, BIB ID: 284426.
Boston, MA; c. 1810[2].

2. "Polly von Luther and Jamie Randall" J. Andrews, Printer, 38 Chatham St., NY; c. 1857[3].

An edited version[4] was published in New York in The Universal Irish Song Book: A Complete Collection of the Songs edited by Patrick John Kennedy in 1898 (book finished in 1894). This version was published in a collection in Dublin in 1864.

With the printed version, Polly Wand, circa 1810, and several traditional versions that date back to the early 1800s, it's safe to assume that the ballad was in circulation in North America in the late 1700s. The North American versions nearly all have  Molly's ghost visiting the trial and clearing Jimmy for the shooting of his dear[5]. Full versions usually have the stanza after Jimmy's acquittal where "all the girls are lined up in a row" and "Molly stands/shines among them like a mountain/fountain of snow." Some are explicit for the reason Molly is "shining:" 

Come, all you fair people, and stand in a row,
Molly's ghost will stand before you like a mountain of snow[6].

Although Jimmy Randall usually shoots a swan, not a fawn, Molly does not appear in the form of a swan only as a ghost. Whereas at least four versions from England in the early 1900s have[7]:

When five days was over, the 'sizes come on,
Young Polly has rose in the shape of a swan,
Saying, "Uncle dear uncle, young Jimmy is free,
For he never shall be hanged for shooting of me." [Henry Way, Dorset, 1906]

Additionally, in at least one of these versions, it is implied that when Jimmy shoots Molly she has in the darkness taken the shape of a swan. The swan maiden analogues will not be discussed here (see my headnotes). In Ireland, which is the presumed point of origin, there are also no versions where Molly/Polly assumes the shape of a swan. The four early British broadsides and the two in the US have also no reference to Molly becoming a swan which reveals that the theory of Molly being a "theriomorphic soul[8]" may have been recreated in the late 1800s by English singers in a certain region[9].

It is more likely that the ballad is based on an actual accidental shooting that has a revenant visitation added on[10]. In this revenant stanza or stanzas her ghost sometimes appears to her uncle and also the trial. In the North America her ghost usually visits the trial and there gives her testimony that "clears" her true love. 

The last names of Polly/Molly range widely in North America from "Pretty Polly Pan Dana[11]" to "Molly Vonders." Molly and Polly seem to be interchangeable and the last name Vonders/Vanders/Bonders is frequently shortened during the later stanzas of the ballad to Molly-- Von, Van, Bon or Ban. Jimmy (sometimes "Johnny") is usually "Jimmy Randall" or "Randolph" but is also "Jimmy Ransom/Ranson" or in one case, "Ranvul." The local titles given are usually Molly or Jimmy's names. "Molly Bawn" is a standard name as well as Sharp's "The Shooting of his Dear," a name he adapted from the 1903 version he collected[12]. All of Sharp's seven version in EFSSA (1932 edition) are titled "The Shooting of his Dear" and several collectors have awarded this title to their versions, however, I am using only local titles.

A version[13] titled "Polly Wand" after the c. 1810 broadside has been published in The Diary of the American Revolution, 1775-1781, p. 239- 240 by Frank Moore, ‎John Anthony Scott (1967) and also Sing Out, 1967. This version purported to be sung in oral tradition during the Revolution is in fact, Linscott's Massachusetts version of 1939[14] with the name changed to Polly Wand. It is based on Paul Clayton's 1957 recording[15] which is also based on the Linscott version.

The Linscott version came from the family of Nathaniel Topliff Allen (1823-1903). Nathaniel was the father of  the informant,  Lucy  Allen, and they lived at the historic Nathaniel Allen House, 35 Webster Street, West Newton. According to Linscott, "He was a descendant of James Allen, who came from northern England to Dedham, Massachusetts, whence he moved almost immediately to Medfield in 1639. The Allen family gathered for reunions in the homestead in Medfield for nearly three hundred years. . . All of the family in the seventh and eighth generations were singers, and the Allen Family Songbook was printed by Miss Rosa G. Allen, sister of our contributor[16]." Certainly this version, collected in 1939 could date back to the 1800s or even father, but that information was not given-- saying that it was sung "during the Revolution" (as Moore did) is purely speculation and changing the name of the ballad to "Polly Wand" is intentionally misleading.

A different song, usually titled "Molly Bawn" has been popular "in Atlantic Canada, particularly Newfoundland[17]" and is even mistakenly listed as a version of this ballad on the Leach site[18]. This different song "depicts a man, reminiscing in sad despair, over the loss of his young bride many years ago[19]." The different song that adopted the title Molly Bawn is "Boating on Lough Ree" by John Keegan Casey, from "Amatory Poems[20]." The other well-know different song that is titled "Molly Bawn" was written by Samuel Lover[21]. Lover's song was performed by Irish tenor John McCormack in a 1911 recording made in the US.

In America the ballad was first introduced[22] in popular recordings as a bluegrass version by The Dillards in 1963[23]. That same year it was arranged and covered by the popular folksingers Peter, Paul and Mary under the title "Polly Von." In 1992 Bob Dylan did a cover similar to Paul Clayton's 1956 version and a celtic-roots version was made by Allison Krause with the Chieftains in 2002. Peggy Seeger did a cover version (or recreation) of Polly Bond (collected from Rita Emerson of West Virginia, 1969) as found in Michael E. Bush's Folksongs of Central West Virginia on Seeger's recording Bring Me Home, released January 22, 2008. Seeger's text is considerably different than Bush's.

The current number of traditional versions along with two print versions on my site is 74 with a number of missing versions in the WPA Collection, Flanders Collection and Virginia Folklore Society Collection. 

R. Matteson 2016]
 

Footnotes:

1. According to Steve Gardham in a Mudcat Forum post; May 2016: it is "undoubtedly a northern Irish ballad."
2. “Polly Wand, together with the Beggar girl, and Tom Starboard,” Isaiah Thomas Broadside Ballads Project, online, http://www.americanantiquarian.org/thomasballads/items/show/198.
3. View online: https://www.loc.gov/item/amss.as111140
4. The music in Street Ballads, Popular Poetry and Household Songs of Ireland was "collected and arranged by Duncathail" (suggested by Dunkettle) a pseudonym for Ralph Varian of Cork, author of poems, and of a "Life of John and Henry Sheares," and editor of "The Harp of Erin," and "Popular Poetry of Ireland."
5. In some versions she appears to her uncle or whee corrupted the father who apparently coneys her testimony to the jury. A few versions have her appearing to her uncle then at the trial.
6. From Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest by the Moores, 1964.
7. The English versions include: Sam Fone, (1883); Lucy White (1903), Henry Way, Dorset, (1906); and J. Handsford, (1906).
8. A term used by Broadwood JFSS (1921) and later Barry BFSSNE.
9. The region is in England and is in the Dorset, Somerset area.
10. The revenant visit was added on to provide testimony at the murder trial to prove the shooting was accidental.
11. Pretty Polly Pan Dana was sung by Doris Phelps in 1950, Morris C.
12. The Lucy White version from Somerset in 1903 ends:
         Crying: Jimmy, young Jimmy, young Jimmy is clear,
         He never shall be hang-ed for the shooting of his dear.
13. This version is based on Paul Clayton's 1957 recording which was taken the Linscott version and titled Polly Wand.
14.  "Polly Vann" was sung by Lucy Allen of West Newton, Massachusetts and appears in Folk Songs of Old New England; Linscott, 1939. This version is similar to the 1810 broadside printed in Boston and could be very old.
15.  From Bay State Ballads FW02106 / FA 2106, released in 1956. Clayton doesn't mention the Linscott as the source for copyright reasons--it was sung by Lucy Allen of West Newton, Massachusetts. Clayton adds a chorus.
16. Quoted from Folk Songs of Old New England; Linscott, 1939. The booklet by Rosa G. Allen was mentioned by Kittredge in the 1917 JAF.
17. Quote is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
18. See: http://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/1-10.htm
19. Quote is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
20. John Keegan Casey's "Amatory Poems," is in Reliques of John K. Casey ("Leo") by John Keegan Casey, 1878.
21. "Molly Bawn" was composed by Samuel Lover in the one-act opera, "Il Paddy Whack in Italia" in 1841.
22. The ballad was recorded both in the British Isles and North America before 1963 as a folk song.
23. Elektra EKL 232 recording of The Dillards on Back Porch Bluegrass (1963).

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CONTENTS: (Access individual versions by clicking on the blue highlighted title below, or on the title attached to this page on he left hand column)

    1) Polly Wand- (MA) c.1810 Isaiah Thomas Broadside
    2) Mollie Vaughn- Valera Ervine (WV) c.1814 Cox C
    3) Polly Band- Lambertson (MI-OH-NJ) c1850 Gardiner
    4) Polly von Luther & Jamie Randall- (NY)1857 Andrews
    Jimmy Ransom- Mrs. Griffin (GA-FL) 1877 Morris A
    Mollie Vaunders- Mrs. Stump (WV-OH) 1885 Cox A
    Polly Vann- Mrs. Allen (MA) pre1899 Kittredge A
    Molly Vaunder- Ella Wilson (WV) c1901 Boette
    Song called Mollie Bawn- M.L.F. (ME) 1907 Barry C
    Jimmy Ranvul- Currence Hammonds (WV) c. 1907
    Mollie Bond- Lauda Whitt (KY) 1916 Kittredge B
    Molly Baun- Sallie Adams (KY) 1916 Kittredge C
    Polly Bam- Jane Hicks Gentry (NC) 1916 Sharp A
    Mollie Van- Addy Crane (TN) 1916 Sharp B
    Molly Bander- George Gibson (KY) 1917 Sharp C
    Polly- Eliza Pace (KY) 1917 Sharp E
    Molly Bon- Margaret Dunnigan (KY) 1917 Sharp F
    Mollie Van- Susan Moberley (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
    Molly Vaunder- George Gregg (WV) 1917 Cox B
    Molly Van- Laura V. Donald (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
    Molly Varn- Mrs. F. Fitzgerald (VA) 1918 Sharp D
    Mollie Vaunders- (NC) c. 1921 Mrs. Sutton/ Brown B
    Molly Vanders- Carrie Baber (MO) 1922 Randolph B
    Polly Bonn- Jewel Robbins (NC) c.1923 Brown A
    Polly Bond- Henry Pritchard (NC) 1924 Chappell
    Johnnie Randle- Jesse Harvey (MS) 1926 Hudson A
    Molly Bawn- Mr. Condon (ME) 1928 Barry D
    Molly Bawn- Nellie Fogg (ME) 1928 Barry E
    Molly Vaughn- Mrs. Kruse (MO) 1928 Randolph A
    Molly Bond- Thomas Ghaney (NS) 1929 Karpeles
    Molly Bender- Murphy (VA) c.1931 Scarborough
    Molly Bawn- Mary Hindle (ME) 1932 Carr/Barry A
    Polly Vann- Mrs. J.H. Smith (GA-FL) c.1933 Morris
    Polly Vaughn- Emma Dusenbury (AR) c.1933 BK
    Mollie Bonder- Miriam Lynch (MO) 1934 Randolph C
    Molly Bawn- Mrs Morse (ME) pre1935 Barry B
    Molly Baun- Mrs. McClellan (MI) 1935 Gardner A
    Molly Vaughan- ‎LaRena LeBarr Clark (ON) c1935 BK
    Jimmy Randall- Charles Archer (NJ) 1936 Halpert A
    Jimmy Randalls- Tom Test (NJ) 1936 Halpert B
    Jimmy Randall- George Test (NJ) 1936 Halpert C
    Jimmy Randall- Clarence Webb (NJ) 1936 Halpert D
    Mollie Vaughn- F. Swetnam (MS-KY) 1936 Hudson B
    Mollie's Ghost- Pearl Jacobs (KY-WI) 1938 Treat
    Polly Van- Lucy Allen (MA) pre1939 Linscott
    Polly Band- Mrs. S. T. Topper (OH) pre1939 Eddy
    Jimmy Randalls- Molly Jackson (KY) 1939 Lomax REC
    Jimmy Randall- Nora Hicks (NC) 1940 REC Brown C
    Molly Bendon- Mrs. Pointer (MO) 1940 Randolph D
    Molly Bond- Mary Hall (AR) 1942 Randolph E
    Molly Vonder- Dellie Drain (AR) 1942 Randolph F
    Molly Banding- Albert Richter (PA) 1946 Bayard
    As Jimmie Went A-Hunting- Boutilier (NS) 1950 REC
    Pretty Polly - Doris Phelps (FL) 1950 Morris C
    Molly Bann- Eula M. Garrott (AR) 1952 Wolf REC
    Molly Bawn- Evelyn Skaggs (AR) 1954 Parler B
    Molly Bond- Charlie Hatcher (TN) 1954 Boswell
    Molly Bonder- (OH) pre1955 Bruce Buckley REC
    Polly Van- Paul Clayton (MA) pre1956 REC
    Molly Bondos- Lucy Quigley (AR) 1958 Max Hunter
    Molly Bawn- Tim McGrath (ON) 1960 Fowke REC
    Molly Ban- Mrs. Arlie Fraser (ON) 1961 Fowke REC
    Molly Van- Dan Tate (NC) 1962 Foss/Yates
    Molly Rand- Paul Lacy (KY) 1964 Boswell B
    Polly Vaughn- R. Dillard (MO) 1963 Dillards REC
    Jimmy Randall- Pearl Brewer (AR) 1964 Parler A
    Molly Bond- Georgia Peak (OK) pre1964 Moores
    Molly Bawn- Sarah Cleveland (NY) 1966 REC
    Molly Bond- Rita Emerson (WV) 1969 Bush A
    Polly Bond- H.J. Shinn (WV) 1969 Bush B
    Molly Bonder- Jenny Wilson (WV) 1972 Coon REC
    Molly Bond- Betsy Rutherford (VA) 1974 REC
    Molly Bender- Phyllis Marks (WV) pre1991 Davies REC
    Molly Vaughan- Colleen Cleveland (NY) 1997 Davies REC
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Jimmy Ransome- Frank Proffitt, 1937
http://dla.acaweb.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/LeesMcRae/id/14/rec/7

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(Molly Wand" (below) is taken from The Diary of the American Revolution, 1775-1781" p. 239-240 originally by Frank Moore, ‎but reworked by John Anthony Scott  in 1967. Scott added "Polly Wand" in the new edition and it was reprinted in Sing Out, the same year -- 1967. Scott says the "lyric is from oral tradition" but doesn't provided details. In Stories from Songs: Ballads as Literary Fictions for Young Adults" DeVos lists Scott's version as: "transmission oral? "Polly Wand" 1777 Massachusetts." In fact Scott's version is based on Paul Clayton's which was taken from Lucy Allen of West Newton, Massachusetts. Scott's notes and text follows:

"Polly Wand" is an  excellent example of an imported British broadside ballad, and a particular favorite of Americans during the Revolution. Variants of the song have been found in all parts of the United States as well as in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The melody and the refrain given here, have been transcribed from the singing of Paul Clayton. The lyric is from oral tradition, but differs only in minor details from the broadside version issued by Nathaniel Coverly[1], Jr. of Boston shortly after 1800 (Ford, Isaiah Thomas 211.)

Come all you brave huntsmen who follow the gun,
Beware of your shooting at the setting of the sun,
For her true love went hunting and he shot in the dark, And o! and alas! Polly Wand was his mark.

As Polly was walking by the setting of the sun,
She stepped under a green branch the shower to shun;
Her true love was a-hunting, and he shot in the dark,
 Alas, and alas! Polly Wand was his mark.

And when he ran to her and found that it was she,
His legs grew weak, and his eyes could scarcely see,
He took her in his arms, and he found that she was dead,
And a thousand thousand tears for his own true love he shed.

For you had your apron wrapped about you,
And I took you for a swan,
But woe and alas! it was you, Polly Wand.

He ran straight home with his gun in his hand,
Saying father, dearest father, I have shot Polly Wand;
I've shot that fair lady in the bloom of her life,
And I always intended to make her my wife.

But she had her apron wrapped around her,
And I took her for a swan,
But woe and alas! it was she, Polly Wand.

At the height of his trial Polly Wand did appear.
Crying father, dearest father, Jemmy Rander must be clear,
For I had my apron all about me, and he took me for a swan,
Woe and alas! it was I, Polly Wand.

Yes, I had my apron all about me, and he took me for a swan,
Woe and alas, it was I, Polly Wand.
Woe and alas! it was I, Polly Wand.

1. Nathaniel Coverly, Jr. did not print "Polly Wand", no imprint is found. The date given is c. 1810, It was purchased in 1813.

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The Universal Irish Song Book: edited by Patrick John Kennedy 1898; Reprinted from Dublin 1864.

A TRUE STORY —CALLED MOLLY BAWN.
A Street Ballad.

A Story, a sad story, to you I will relate,
 Of a beautiful young maiden, who met a woful fate;
"As she walked out one evening, at the setting of the sun,
And rested in a bower, a passing shower to shun.

Young Jemmy with his gun, had been fowling all the day;
And down beside the lake he came at close of twilight gray;
Her apron being about her, he took her for a fawn,
But alas, to his grief, 'twas his own Molly Bawn!

Now all ye brave young men who go sporting with the gun,
Beware of shooting late, and gray mists about the sun—
Her apron being about her—he took her for a fawn,
But, alas, to his grief, 'twas his own Molly Bawn!

When he came to the bower, and found that it was she,
His limbs they grew feeble, his eyes they could not see;
He took her in his arms, across her uncle's lawn,
And his tears flowed like fountains on his own Molly Bawn.

Young Jemmy he went home, with his gun beneath his hand,
Sick and broken-hearted, like a felon in the land;
Crying,—" Father, O, my Father—by the lake—a fair white fawn—
I levelled and I shot her dead—my own Molly Bawn!"

That night to her uncle her spirit did appear,
Saying, " uncle—dearest uncle—my true love—he is clear—
My apron being about me—he took me for a fawn—
But, alas, to his grief, 'twas his own Molly Bawn!"

O. Molly was his jewel, his sweetheart and his pride!
If she had lived another year she would have been his bride.
The flower of all the valley, the pride of hut and hall—
Oh, Jemmy soon will follow his own Molly Bawn.

____________________________________

Missing versions:

track 4. Wild Hog in the Woods is Molly Bender by Michael Kline & Carrie Kline; West Virginia. We recorded and learned this from Hazel Stover of Clay County, WV, originally from Webster Co. Her community's localizing of a ballad from across the sea influenced neighbors to think of the song's characters as earlier residents and family members.

Hazel Stover: Molly Bender, Folksongs and Ballads, Vol 3, Augusta Heritage AHR 009, Cas (1991), trk #1.07 [1990]
---------------

Later collectors found it around East Tennessee: Anderson (L932), Duncan (Hamilton county, 1939), Perry (Carter
county, 1938).

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Molly Vaughan
Roud Folksong Index (S245192)
First Line:
Source: Gwilym Davies Collection
Performer: Cleveland, Colleen
Date: 1998 (9 Nov)
Place: USA : Connecticut : Newtown
Collector: Davies, Gwilym

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Molly Bond
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.1275 (version b)
Performer: Holyfield, Mrs. Lurline
Date: 1939 (12 Aug)
Place: USA : Virginia : Pound
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L

Molly Bond
Roud Folksong Index (S245160)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.1275 (version c)
Performer: Ison, Mrs. Sarah
Date: 1939 (27 Jul)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 166

Molly Bond were Walking
Roud Folksong Index (S245163)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.1275 (version d)
Performer: Bray, Mrs. Nellie
Date: 1940 (2 Jul)
Place: USA : Virginia : Pound
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.

Molly Bond
Roud Folksong Index (S245161)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.1275 (version e)
Performer: Johnson, Mrs. Polly
Date: 1939 (17 May)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 166

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Mollie Van Dora
Roud Folksong Index (S310875)
First Line: My true love went hunting
Source: Duncan, Ballads & Folk Songs Collected in Northern Hamilton County (1939) pp.150-151
Performer: Hughs, Mrs. Rosa
Date: 1938 (16 Dec)
Place: USA : Tennessee : Flat Top
Collector: Duncan, Ruby

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Jimmy Randall
First Line: Jimmy Randall went a-hunting all alone in the dark
Source: Folktrax 908-60 ('Songs of the Southern Appalachians 2')
Performer: Fitzgerald, Florence (Mrs. J. Puckett)
Date: 1955
Place: USA : Virginia : Afton
Collector: Karpeles, Maud

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Fair Molly Bawn
Roud Folksong Index (S356217)
First Line: Oot spate his old father
Source: Barry, Eckstorm, & Smyth, British Ballads from Maine (2nd series) (2011) pp.53-66 (version i)

Fair Molly Bawn
Roud Folksong Index (S356214)
First Line: Come all you young fellows that folow the sun
Source: Barry, Eckstorm, & Smyth, British Ballads from Maine (2nd series) (2011) pp.53-66 (version f)


Polly Wand
Roud Folksong Index (S356215)
First Line: Come all you brave shooters that follow the gun
Source: Barry, Eckstorm, & Smyth, British Ballads from Maine (2nd series) (2011) pp.53-66 (version g)

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Polly Van
Roud Folksong Index (S248846)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D51 B 06
Performer: Lewis, Alonzo
Date: 1947 (22 Sep)
Place: USA : Maine : York
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness

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Molly Bond
First Line:
Source: Anderson, A Collection of Ballads & Songs from East Tennessee (1936) p.62
Performer: Kagley, Mrs. Grace
Date:
Place: USA : Tennessee : Maryville
----------------

Polly Bawn
First Line: Come all you sportsmen that carries a gun
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5775 / AC 2362 / 2935
Performer: Power, Mrs. Harvey H.
Date: 1956 (Sep)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Little Harbour
Collector: Creighton, Helen

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Mollie Bawn
Roud Folksong Index (S215571)
First Line: Come all you brave huntsmen who follow the gun
Source: Grover, Heritage of Songs pp.104-105
Performer: Grover, Mrs. Carrie
Date:
Place: USA : Maine
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Mollie Vaughanders
Source: Combs, Folk-Songs of the Southern United States (1967) p.214 item 110
Performer: Power, F.R.
Date: 1924
Place: USA : W. Virginia : Hampshire County
Collector: Combs, Josiah H.
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Molly Bawn
Roud Folksong Index (S331844)
First Line: Molly Bawn was out a-walking
Source: Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML), London; Library Collection MPS 60 (32) folder 3 pp. 3-4
Performer:
Date:
Place: USA : Tennesse


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Molly Vander
Roud Folksong Index (S340801)
First Line: [..were a-riding] All about in the dark
Source: Mike Yates Collection: British Library National Sound Archive C 796/208 (VWML 52 CDA Yates)
Performer: [Unidentified singer]
Date: 1980(?)
Place: USA
Collector: Yates, Mike
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Molly Bawn
First Line: Man was out fowling and he shot through the dark, A
Source: Edith Fowke Coll. (FO 67)
Performer: Tilden, Mrs. Rosa Ella Lamont
Date: 1958 (May)
Place: Canada : Ontario : Morriston
Collector: Fowke, Edith
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Young Randal
Roud Folksong Index (S257516)
First Line: Come all you young men
Source: Virginia Folklore Society Collection (Univ. Virginia, Charlotteville)
Performer: Martin, Mrs. Rill
Date: 1933 (22 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia : Mechanicsburg
Collector: Peel, Alfreda M.
Roud No: 166

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Jimmy Randal
Roud Folksong Index (S240616)
First Line: Come all young men who are fond of handling a gun
Source: Virginia Folklore Society Collection (Univ. Virginia, Charlotteville)
Performer: Martin, Mrs.
Date: 1922 (11 Sep)
Place: USA : Virginia : Giles County
Collector: Peel, Alfreda M.

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Molly Bander
Roud Folksong Index (S245143)
First Line: Come all you young farmers
Source: Virginia Folklore Society Collection (Univ. Virginia, Charlotteville)
Performer: Davis, Mrs. Roxy
Date: 1934 (15 Aug)
Place: USA : Virginia : Shawsville
Collector: Peel, Alfreda M.

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Jimmie Randalls
Roud Folksong Index (S240605)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.1275 (version a)
Performer: Howerton, Mrs. Virgie Rucker
Date: 1940 (24 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Adams, John Taylor

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Shooting of the Swan
Roud Folksong Index (S251639)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D12 A 03
Performer: Luther, Sidney
Date: 1941 (5 Sep)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Pittsburg
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
  ----------

Young Huntsman
Roud Folksong Index (S257462)
First Line: Come all you young huntsmen
Source: Virginia Folklore Society Collection (Univ. Virginia, Charlotteville)
Performer: Gibson, Mrs. Martha Elizabeth
Date: 1932 (29 Jan)
Place: USA : Virginia : Crozet
Collector: Knobloch, Fred F.
Roud No: 166

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Molly Bond
Roud Folksong Index (S245162)
First Line: Molly Bond went out walking
Source: Virginia Folklore Society Collection (Univ. Virginia, Charlotteville)
Performer: Gladden, Mrs. Texas
Date: 1933 (20 Sep)
Place: USA : Virginia : Black Creek
Collector: Peel, Alfreda M.
Roud No: 166

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Shooting of the Swan
Roud Folksong Index (S251638)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D25 B 13
Performer: Lane, Sarah
Date: 1942 (May)
Place: USA : Maine : Howland
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 166

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The Shooting of His Dear
Roud Folksong Index (S251634)
First Line: Johnny Randolph, Johnny Randolph
Source: Virginia Folklore Society Collection (Univ. Virginia, Charlotteville)
Performer: Dove, Mrs.
Date: 1931 (13 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia : Harrisonburg
Collector: Davis, Martha M.
Roud No: 166

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 "Molly Bawn," from Item 419, P.J. Thomas Collection, Vancouver, BC, 1973

  West, Hedy. Love, Hell and Biscuits, Bear Family BF 15009, LP (1975), trk# 3 (Molly Bawn/Ban/Banding/Baun)
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Phil Thomas: An Odyssey in Song
David Gregory, Athabasca University

Back in the B.C. interior, a trip up the Fraser River to Lillooet found several local singers. Mrs. Annie Paul sang “The Lillooet Song”, while Frank Bunner knew a number of folksongs and cowboy songs. The latter included “The Gay Cowboy”, “The
Lonely Cowboy”, “I Don’t Want No Indian Girl” and “The Little Mohee”, while his other North American items included “The Lethbridge Girl”, “Columbia Valley” and “The Boston Burglar”. He also knew the ballads “Molly Bawn” and “Barbara Allen”.