Handsome Molly
Longing for Love's Promise
Lyrics
Well, I wish I was in London,
Expresses a desire to be in London or another seaport town.
Or some other seaport town
Desire to embark on a journey by putting foot on a steamboat and sailing the ocean.
I'd put my foot on a steamboat
Continuation of the desire to travel on a steamboat.
I'd sail the ocean 'round.
Expresses a longing to sail the ocean and circumnavigate it.
While sailing 'round the ocean,
Reflecting on sailing the ocean and sea.
While sailing 'round the sea
Continuation of thoughts while sailing, with a focus on the sea.
I'd think of handsome Molly
Thinking about "handsome Molly" during the journey.
Wherever she might be.
Expressing a sense of longing for Molly, wherever she may be.
Don't you remember, Molly
Asking Molly if she remembers giving her right hand and the promise of marriage.
You gave me your right hand?
Recalling a symbolic gesture of commitment from Molly.
You said whenever you'd marry
Reference to Molly's promise to marry the speaker.
I would be the man.
The speaker believed he would be Molly's chosen man.
But you broke your promise
Expressing disappointment as Molly breaks her promise.
Go with whom you please
Granting Molly freedom to choose her companion despite the heartache.
My poor heart is aching
Describing the emotional pain and heartache experienced by the speaker.
You are at your ease.
Molly is at ease while the speaker suffers.
I went to church last Sunday
Narrating an incident at church where Molly's changing mind is observed.
Molly came ridin' by
Molly is seen riding by, indicating a shift in her thoughts or feelings.
I could tell her mind was changin'
Noticing the change in Molly's mind through the movement of her eyes.
By the rovin' of her eye.
Empty line, possibly for a pause or emphasis on the previous lines.
molly's fair and handsom
Continuation of the description of Molly's physical appearance.
fingers long and small
Highlighting Molly's good nature as a desirable trait.
told me she's good natured and that's the best of all
Emphasizing the importance of Molly's good nature.
hair as black as ravens
Describing Molly's black hair and coal-black eyes.
eyes as black as coal
Further detailing Molly's physical features, comparing her eyes to coal.
cheeks just like the lillies out in the morning grown
Comparing Molly's cheeks to lilies, emphasizing their beauty.
I go down to the river
Expressing a visit to the river, possibly for solitude and reflection.
wait till everyone's asleep
Waiting until everyone is asleep, indicating a private and contemplative moment.
I think of handsome Molly
Thinking of Molly and experiencing sadness, possibly shedding tears.
An' I begin to weep.
Beginning to weep as the speaker reflects on Molly.
So I wish I was in London,
Repeating the desire to be in London or another seaport town.
Or some other seaport town
Reiterating the wish to embark on a journey by steamboat and sail the ocean.
I'd put my foot on a steamboat
Continuation of the desire to travel on a steamboat.
I'd sail the ocean 'round.
Expresses a longing to sail the ocean and circumnavigate it once more.
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