HANDSOME MOLLY
Jagger Lyrics

The lyrics to Jagger's song "Handsome Molly" tell a poignant story of longing and heartbreak. The singer expresses a desire to escape his current circumstances by traveling to London or another seaport town. He envisions himself boarding a steamship and sailing around the ocean, perhaps seeking solace and a fresh start in new surroundings. This imagery of embarking on a journey reflects the singer's longing for change and a sense of freedom from his current heartache.

As the singer sails around the ocean, he finds himself consumed by thoughts of a woman named Handsome Molly. He describes her physical attributes with intimate detail, highlighting her dark hair, eyes, and teeth. Through these descriptions, Molly emerges as a vivid and alluring figure in the singer's imagination. Despite being physically distant from Molly, she remains a prominent presence in his thoughts, emphasizing the depth of his feelings for her.

The lyrics also reveal a past connection between the singer and Molly. He recalls a moment when Molly gave him her right hand and spoke of a potential future together. The singer's reminiscence of this gesture underscores the emotional investment he had in their relationship and his hopes for a shared future with Molly. However, he laments that Molly has now left him for someone else, causing him profound heartache and longing for what once was.

In the final verses of the song, the singer finds solace in visiting the river alone, where he can privately reflect on his feelings for Molly. He expresses his emotional vulnerability by admitting to weeping over her absence. The repetition of the imagery of sailing around the ocean and dreaming of Handsome Molly reinforces the singer's enduring love and longing for her, despite the distance between them. Overall, the lyrics of "Handsome Molly" poignantly convey themes of unrequited love, longing, and emotional vulnerability that resonate with listeners.