MARY, POLLY &, MOLLY

We explore the mutation of women's names in English-language folksongs. From Mary to Polly to Molly.

Following the development of songs as they moved from England to Ireland and North America, we can trace their path using the names of the women in the songs. We also explore the split between a supernatural ballad and a murder ballad, with the murder ballad being a solidly American musical form. Of course, the style has spread far and wide and into all kinds of languages since it's beginnings in early American news ballads.

Track Name Artist Album Released
Molly Vaughn Peace by Peace Phantom Voices 4/14/18
The White Hare Jo Philby Beneath the Starry Sky 11/30/12
Forest Sounds, Pt. 17 (Continuous No Gaps) White Noise Radiance 10 Hours of Continuous Forest Sounds 01/29/21
Pretty Polly Oliver Jody Stecher Song Links: A Celebration of Traditional Songs and Their American Variants 12/29/16
Handsome Cabin Boy Gordon Bok A Tune for November 01/01/70
Polly on the Shore Martin Carthy; Dave Swarbrick Prince Heathen 6/2/69
Ocean Noise Calm Places Ocean Waves for Deep Sleep and Relaxation 06/04/21
The Cruel Ships Carpenter Jackie Oates Jackie Oates 09/01/06
Pretty Polly Béla Fleck; Abigail Washburn Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn 01/01/14
The House Carpenter Peggy Seeger Folk Songs of Courting and Complaint 01/01/55
The Swan (Saint-Saëns) Camille Saint-Saëns; Yo-Yo Ma; Kathryn Stott The Swan (Saint-Saëns) 08/07/15
Molly Malone Bastard Bearded Irishmen Bastard Bearded Irishmen 03/12/11
Molly Durkin Murty Rabbett Ballinasloe Fair - Early Recordings Of Irish Music In America 01/01/05
Cricket Sounds, Pt. 77 (Continuous No Gaps) White Noise Radiance 10 Hours of Continuous Cricket Sounds 01/09/21
Death Is Not the End Cockersdale Wide Open Skies 1997
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