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The Rose Of Mooncoin lyrics

by Foster & Allen

Oh 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 while

the sun and moon shines
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

The Wolfe Tones
Foster & Allen

Writer: Watt Murphy - a Waterford schoolteacher and poet

Brief: Watt, the song’s author, falls in love with a young woman named Molly from the Irish town of Mooncoin. Despite their significant age gap—Molly was 20, while Watt was 56—their shared intellect and deep connection knew no bounds. They spent countless hours together, wandering along the banks of the River Suir, 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 left heartbroken and wrote this poem in her memory.

Glossary:
Mooncoin - 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

Genre: Irish Folk Song

Covers: Daniel O'Donnell, Paddy Rielly, Patsy Watchhorn, Phil Coulter, Johnny McEvoy, The Wolfe Tones, Darren Holden (The High Kings), The Shannon Singers.

Featured Artists: Foster & Allen

Album: After All These Years
Released: 1986
Country: UK & Ireland
Format: 12" Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo
Label: Ritz Records

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