Molly Malone is a fictional character from an Irish folk song. She was a pretty fishmonger selling her fish on the streets of Dublin in the 17th century… before perishing from a high fever…
The song became so popular, in fact, that it became Dublin’s unofficial anthem, and a statue of Molly Malone was even erected on St Andrew’s church forecourt.
he forecourt of St Andrew’s church!
Molly Malone – Txemari – cc
It all began in 1880, with the release of the song “Molly Malone”, also known as “Cockles and Mussels”.
This popular song is sung throughout Dublin, becoming a staple in Irish pubs and played in the streets by local musicians(buskers).
The song is intended to be tragic-comic, and tells the story of Molly Malone, a young and beautiful fishmonger, selling her fish, cockles and mussels on the streets of Dublin every day until she is struck down by a terrible fever.
This song has become very popular over the years, making Molly Malone one of the city’s most iconic characters. Legend has even grown up around this woman, and many agree that she sold her fish in the streets by day, and prostituted herself by night.
Other rumors claim that, on the contrary, she was one of the few traveling saleswomen to remain chaste… A great deal of research has even been carried out to find out whether Molly Malone ever really existed… Some Irish people seem to claim to have found her birth and death certificates, but it seems that the name Molly Malone was quite common in Ireland, especially in the 17th century, when young Molly is supposed to have lived.
As a tribute to this character, who has become a fixture in Irish culture, Dublin commissioned a statue of Molly Malone in 1987, now installed on Suffolk Street. Designed by Jean Rynhart, this statute depicts a beautiful young woman with generous cleavage, dressed in period garb, pushing a cart of fish in front of her. The song Molly Malone became the official anthem of the city of Dublin, and is sung by the majority of Dublin GAA and international rugby team supporters.
Verse
In Dublin’s fair city,
where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive alive oh!”
Refrain
Alive-a-live-oh, Alive-a-live-oh,
Crying “Cockles and mussels, alive alive oh”
Verse
She was a fishmonger,
And sure ’twas no wonder,
For so were her father and mother before,
And they both wheeled their barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh!”
Refrain
Alive-a-live-oh, Alive-a-live-oh,
Crying “Cockles and mussels, alive alive oh”
Verse
She died of a fever,
And no one could save her,
And that was the end of my sweet Molly Malone.
Now her ghost wheels her barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh!”
Refrain
Alive-a-live-oh, Alive-a-live-oh, Crying
“Cockles and mussels, alive alive oh”
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