Molly Malone Lyrics:  Singing Cockles and Mussels Alive Alive 'O!

Molly Malone lyrics tell the story of a woman name Molly who sells fish in the streets of Dublin but dies of fever at a young age.  It is an unofficial anthem for the city of Dublin and has been recorded by countless artists.

Have a look at the first verse, and tell me if this 'sounds' familiar:

In Dublin's fair city
Where the Girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes
On sweet Molly Malone
She wheeled her wheel barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels
Alive, alive o!

Short on time and want to get straight to the point?  Jump here for ALL the lyrics and two of our favorite performances.

Want to know a bit more about the history and background of Molly Malone?  Read on!

5 Things to Know About the Song

Here are five fun facts about Molly Malone.  Hopefully they will entice you to sing along next time you hear it!

1. Oddly enough, the song might not have been written in Ireland. Some evidence points to it first being written in England, and others claim the original songwriter was Scottish.
2. Molly Malone was a very popular name in Dublin in the 17th century, so it is hard to know if the song was about one woman in particular. The Dublin Millennium Commission, however, endorses the theory that the song is about a Mary Malone who died on the 13th of June in 1699.
3. The song is often referred to by other names, including Cockles and Mussels and In Dublin's Fair City. Overseas, it's even translated into foreign languages. In Holland, the song is called Kokkels en Mossels, and the Russian version can be translated as Molly, My Soul.
4. On Dublin's Grafton Street, there's a statue of Molly. It's a popular spot for tourists to stop and take pictures, and there's almost always someone humming the tune nearby.
5. A staggering number of singers and bands have recorded this song. The most famous version is sung by The Dubliners, but others artists who have released versions include Bing Crosby, U2, Burl Ives and The Saturdays, among many others.

Molly Malone Lyrics

In Dublin's fair city
Where the Girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes
On sweet Molly Malone
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
And sure it was no wander
For so were her 
Father and Mother before
They both 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
Now her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels
Alive, alive o!

License:  Standard YouTube License
Music:  "Molly Malone" by The Ferrymen 

Our Favorite Performance

We love this classic live recording ...

Another Version - Which Do You Like Better?

We also enjoy this version from Sinead O'Connor...

Want More Irish Song Lyrics?

It is probably obvious - at Irish Expressions, we love Irish songs!  The music of the Emerald Isle brings people together, telling stories that touch every human emotion.

Learning the lyrics and singing these songs gives us a deeper sense of connection with Ireland, wherever in the world we happen to be!

We have captured 10 of our favorite Irish songs - like Danny Boy, Wild Rover and Red is the Rose in an e-book we call "An Illustrated Irish Songbook."

This fun, free guide is available to you to download.  Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address to get instant access!

What's Next?

Folk songs like this one are an essential part of Irish culture and heritage. Even if you're not really into folk music, these Irish melodies tell fascinating stories that take you back to special times in Ireland's long and proud history. 

• Sing them, listen to them, dance to them, to celebrate Irish culture and share your personal Irish side!
• For more information of this type, you may want to pay a visit to our main section on Irish Song Lyrics.

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