Cockles and Mussels (Molly Malone)

hile often treated as a traditional folk song of unknown age and Irish origin, the first known publication dates to 1883 in London, attributed to James Yorkston. However, there's debate about whether he wrote it or simply arranged an existing tune and story. A slightly different version was published in Boston in 1876.

The song tells the tragic story of Molly Malone, a young, beautiful fishmonger (specifically, a seller of cockles and mussels) who wheels her barrow through the streets of Dublin ("In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty..."). Sadly, she catches a fever and dies young, but her ghost is said to still haunt the city streets, pushing her barrow.

Meaning-wise, it's a narrative ballad capturing a slice of Dublin life and hardship. Whether Molly was a real person is unknown – she might be a composite figure representing the many poor street traders who lived tough lives and often died young in centuries past. The song evokes a sense of place, history, and melancholy. Today there's a well-known statue of Molly Malone (though controversially depicted) in Dublin city centre. It's more of a folk ballad than a typical nursery rhyme, but its catchy tune and story have made it well-loved among children (and their parents!).