Cockles and Mussels

This is also known as Molly Malone.

The earliest known version of Cockles and Mussles was published in London in 1884 by Francis Brothers and Day. The song is there described as "a comic song" written and composed by James Yorkston (of Scotland) and arranged by Edmund Forman.

Although the song is the unofficial anthem of Dublin and generally regarded as Irish, it was, in fact, written by a Scotsman.

Cockles and Mussels was recorded by Paddy and Bill on the Live At The Shanakee audiocassette tape.

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Lyrics

In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O!
Alive, alive-O! alive, alive-O!
Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O!

She was a fish-monger, but sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheeled their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O!
Alive, alive-O! alive, alive-O!
Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O!

She died of a fever, and no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O!
Alive, alive-O! alive, alive-O!
Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O!

Traditional