> Folk Music > Songs > Dark Eyed Molly

Dark Eyed Molly

[Archie Fisher]

Archie Fisher sang his own song Dark Eyed Molly in 1976 on his Folk-Legacy album The Man With a Rhyme. He commented in his liner notes:

The compatibility of unrequited love and strong drink has been the theme of many a traditional song. Speaking from experience, it doesn't help in the long run, but think of the songs we'd miss without the experiment. The melody is that of a Basque lullaby and the words are my reconstruction from a line or two of Gaelic poetry.

Pilgrims' Way sang Dark Eyed Molly in 2011 on their CD Wayside Courtesies. They commented in their liner notes:

Archie Fisher wrote this beautiful song. It has been recorded by some of the great singers over the years including Eva Cassidy. No pressure then! We've changed a few words here and there so the gender makes sense when Lucy's singing it. The tune [Snowy Monday] that follows is an iconic Northumbrian tune, composed by shepherd Willie Taylor, here played far slower than its usual session pace.

Lyrics

Archie Fisher sings Dark Eyed Molly	Pilgrims' Way sing Dark Eyed Molly
Deep and dark are my true love's eyes, Blacker still is the winter turning, As the sadness of parting proves. And brighter now is the lantern burning That lightens my path to love.	Deep and dark are my true love's eyes, Blacker still is the winter's turning, As the sadness of parting proves. And brighter now is the lantern burning As it lightens my path to love.
No fiddle tune will take the air, But I'll see her swift feet a-dancing And the swirl of her long brown hair, Her smiling face and her dark eyes glancing As we stepped out Blinkbonny Fair.	No fiddle tune will take the air, But I will see his swift feet a-dancing And the curl of his dark brown hair, His smiling face and his blue eyes are glancing As we trip over boundaries rare.
And if my waiting prove in vain, Then I will pack and track ever take me. And the long road will ease my pain. No gem of womankind will make me E'er whisper love's words again.	And if my waiting should prove in vain, Then I will pack and track ever take me. The long road will ease my pain. And no jewel of mankind would ever make me To whisper love's words again.
For in drink I'll seek good company, My ears will ring with the tavern's laughter, And I'll not hear her last sweet sighs. Then who's to know, in the morning after, That I long for her dear dark eyes.	For in drink I'll seek good company, My ears will ring with the tavern's laughter, And I'll hear not his last sweet sigh And who's to know, in the morning after, How I long for his dear dark eyes, How I long for his dear dark eyes, How I long for his dear dark eyes.