“Run Mollie Run”

Description

Verses from different songs. "Miss Liza was a gambler, learned me how to steal"; "I went down to Huntsville, I did not go to stay..."; "Oh, Liza, poor girl...she died on that train"; "Cherry like a rose"; "Run, Mollie, run/Let us have some fun"

Long description

Confused verses, mostly narrative, but apparently from different songs. "Miss Liza was a gambler, learned me how to steal"; "I went down to Huntsville, I did not go to stay/Just got there to do a little time, wear that ball and chain"; "Oh, Liza, poor girl...she died on that train"; "Cherry like a rose"; "Run, Mollie, run/Let us have some fun"

Notes

This song's a mess -- a composite of several songs, about half of which are ballads, half not. But it seems important to include, if for no other reason than that it *is* a composite. I strongly suspect -- no, I'm certain -- this was a dance tune; the rhythm is certainly right. - PJS

Cross references

Recordings

  • Henry "Ragtime Texas" Thomas, "Run Mollie Run" (Vocalion 1141, c. 1928 [rec. 1927]; on BefBlues1)

About

Author: Henry Thomas assembled it, at any rate
Earliest date: 1927 (recording, Henry Thomas)
Found in: US(So)