The Rose Of Mooncoin lyrics
by Foster & AllenOh how pleasant to roam by the sunny Suir stream
To hear the dove coo 'neath the morning sunbeam
Where the thrush and the robin their sweet notes entwine
On the banks of the Siur that flows down by Mooncoin.
Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along
By your waters so clear on the lark's merry song
On your green banks I wander where first I did join
With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin.
Oh Molly, dear Molly, it breaks my fool heart
To know that we two forever must part
But I'll think of you Molly on the sun and moon shine
On the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.
Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along
By your waters so clear on the lark's merry song
On your green banks I wander where first I did join
With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin.
She has sailed far away o’er the deep rolling foam
Far away from the hills of her dear native home
Where the fisherman go with their small boats and line
On the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.
Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along
By your waters so clear on the lark's merry song
On your green banks I wander where first I did join
With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin.
[Missing Verse & Chorus]
Then here's to the Suir with its valley so fair
As oftimes we wandered in the cool morning air
Where the roses are blooming and lilies entwine
On the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.
Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along
By your waters so clear on the lark's merry song
On your green banks I wander where first I did join
With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin.
Song Details
Writer: Watt Murphy - a Waterford schoolteacher and poet
Brief: Watt, the author of the song falls in love with a girl named Molly from the Irish town of Mooncoin. There was a vast age difference between Molly who was 20 years old at the time and Watt, who was 56 - a difference of 36 years. They were both intellectuals and their love had no bounds. They spent a great deal of time together, strolling along the banks of the river Siur while writing and reciting poetry.
Molly's father was the local Vicar and disapproved of the relationship and sent her away to England to live. Watt was broken hearted and wrote this poem in her memory.
References:
Mooncain - a town situated in the far south of County Kilkenny, in Ireland - 10 km from Waterford City on the main Waterford to Limerick road.
Siur - River Siur in Ireland - flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of 185 kilometres.
oftimes - often times
Category: Irish Love Song
Covers: Daniel O'Donnell, Paddy Rielly, Patsy Watchhorn, Phil Coulter, Johnny McEvoy, The Wolfe Tones, Darren Holden (The High Kings), The Shannon Singers.
Album: After All These Years (April 30, 1996)
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