MOLLY BELL
(LORD LOVEL)
Sung by: Ollie Gilbert
Recorded in spring 1963

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He lit upon his milk-white steed,
And off the dapple gray.
He rode ‘til he came to yonders town.
The people were mourning all ‘round, all ‘round;
People were mourning all around.

He asked a stranger who was dead in town,
“Who’s dead in town?” said he.
“I do not know, but I do believe
They call her Loving Molly, Molly;
They call her Loving Molly Bell.”

“Go open me up the coffin,” said he,
“Go open the coffin for me,
And let me kiss her cold, cold lips
That’s colder than any clay, any clay;
That’s colder than any clay.

“Go dig my grave, Lord love her,” says he,
“Go dig my grave for me.
I'll bid this world ten thousand adieu,
And I’ll go with my loving Molly, Molly;
And I’ll go with my loving Molly Bell.”

Also found in Child, #75, "Lord Lovel"; Randolph, Vol. I, #17; Brown, Vol. II, #21; Belden, p. 52.

All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted

The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection
Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas
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