Formed i… Read Full Bio ↴Malinky is a Scottish folk band specialising in Scots song.
Formed in autumn 1998, the original members were Karine Polwart from Banknock, Stirlingshire (vocals, guitar, bouzouki), Steve Byrne from Arbroath (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin), Mark Dunlop from Garryduff, Co. Antrim (bodhrán, whistles, vocals) and English fiddler Kit Patterson.
First meeting to rehearse in early October that year, the band was largely formed to help Polwart fulfil a support slot at Edinburgh Folk Club some ten days later, supporting harpist and storyteller Robin Williamson, formerly of the Incredible String Band. The members had previously encountered each other around the lively pub session scene in Edinburgh in venues such as Sandy Bell's and the Royal Oak bars. Polwart was a social worker, Byrne a student of Scottish Studies, Dunlop a town planner with the city council, and Patterson a computer programmer from Plymouth.
The band's first album 'Last Leaves' was recorded in 1999 and released at Celtic Connections 2000, with the late Davy Steele as producer. In early 2001, Edinburgh-born Jon Bews, formerly of Burach, replaced Patterson on fiddle, and later that year Tyrone button box and whistle player Leo McCann was asked to join to expand the band's largely string-driven sound.
In September 2004 the band announced a major change of personnel. Polwart left to pursue a solo career and McCann's imminent fatherhood prompted him to return to his previous career in social work. Polwart and McCann worked their notice until February 2005, coincidentally the same month as Polwart swept the boards at the Radio 2 Folk Awards, catapulting her re-released 2003 solo album 'Faultlines' to greater heights.
Byrne, Dunlop and Bews continued the band with new members Fiona Hunter from Glasgow (vocals, cello) and Liverpool-born Ewan MacPherson (guitar, mandolin, mandola, tenor banjo, jew's harp, vocals), and a series of crossover concerts in January and February 2005 took place, featuring both old and new lineups, including a sellout show at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
In June 2005 the band recorded their third album 'The Unseen Hours' at Watercolour Studios in Ardgour, Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands, and the album was released in November 2005, surprising many critics with its continuity from the band's previous work, and earning rave reviews with its strong commitment to traditional Scots ballads.
The Unseen Hours lineup toured Germany and the Netherlands in 2006 to great acclaim and in 2007 performed with Swedish ballad band Ranarim at the Celtic Connections festival as well as making their first sojourn to the USA and Canada.
In December 2007 MacPherson left the band to pursue other projects to be replaced by guitar and bouzouki player David Wood from Grindleford in Derbyshire, formerly of CrossCurrent.
Fiddler Mike Vass joined the band in 2008, previously best known for performing in a duo with his sister Ali Vass.
Pad The Road Wi Me
Malinky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fan ye and I will mairried be and wedlock us combine
Fan ye and I get mairried, love, richt happy we will be
For ye are the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me"
"Tae pad the road wi' you, sir, cauld winter's comin' on
Besides, my aged parents have ne'er a girl but one
Besides, my aged parents have ne'er a girl but me
"Oh never mind cauld winter, love, the spring will follow on
Come sit ye doon beside me, and I'll sing you a nice song
I'll sing you a nice song while I diddle ye on ma knee
For you're the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me"
"Oh the ither lads that I hae had, they proved of cruel mind
They beat me and bad used me and proved tae be unkind
They beat me and bad used me and garred me rue the day
That e'er I gied my love tae them tae pad the road away"
"Oh lassie, dearest lassie, love, I'd never dae ye wrang
It's on my honest faither's life I swear I'll dae nae hairm
I'll busk ye braw and fairer so ye could bear the gree
As the belle o' a' the country 'roond tae pad the road wi' me"
So she has donned her hose and shoon and tae the kirk they've gaen
And lang, ay lang 'ere mornin' that couple were made ane
And lang, lang 'ere the mornin', her troubles were set free
For she's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
For she's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
She's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
The song "Pad The Road Wi Me" tells the story of a man who proposes to his beloved girlfriend, Molly. He tells her that they should get married and travel the road of life together. However, Molly, being a responsible daughter, is hesitant as she is the only girl her aged parents have. Besides that, she’s afraid of harsh winters. But, the man reassures her that he will never hurt her and promises to take good care of her. He shares with her that he will dress her up prettily and make her feel like the belle of the country.
Molly was initially afraid of getting her heart broken again as she had been with unkind lads before. But with time, she agrees to marry him, and they head to the church. The final verse of the song hints that Molly's troubles have ended, and now she is happy to "pad the road" with her new husband.
The song offers a timeless message about love and commitment, highlighting the importance of trust, respect, and honesty in relationships. The story it tells reminds us of the beauty of a matured love that can weather any storm of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Says I, "My dearest Molly, come let us fix the time
The singer asks Molly to finalize a date for their union.
Fan ye and I will mairried be and wedlock us combine
They want to get married and become united in wedlock.
Fan ye and I get mairried, love, richt happy we will be
The singer believes that they will be very happy if they get married.
For ye are the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me"
The artist sees Molly as the beautiful woman who will be his partner in life.
"Tae pad the road wi' you, sir, cauld winter's comin' on
Molly expresses concern about traveling in the cold winter season with the artist.
Besides, my aged parents have ne'er a girl but one
Molly is hesitant to leave her parents alone because she is their only daughter.
So I'm no' the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' thee"
Molly declines the offer because she sees herself as not the beautiful woman the singer thinks she is.
"Oh never mind cauld winter, love, the spring will follow on
The artist reassures Molly that winter will pass, and spring will come soon.
Come sit ye doon beside me, and I'll sing you a nice song
The artist invites Molly to sit with him so he can serenade her with a song.
I'll sing you a nice song while I diddle ye on ma knee
The artist promises to entertain Molly by singing and playing with her on his knee.
For you're the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me"
The singer emphasizes his desire for a life partnership with Molly by describing her as the beautiful woman who will accompany him on their journey.
"Oh the ither lads that I hae had, they proved of cruel mind
Molly shares her past experiences with other men, who were cruel and unkind to her.
They beat me and bad used me and proved tae be unkind
Molly has suffered physical and emotional abuse from her previous partners.
They beat me and bad used me and garred me rue the day
Molly regrets having loved and trusted her previous partners, who caused her pain and suffering.
That e'er I gied my love tae them tae pad the road away"
Molly regrets having loved the wrong people and made wrong choices in the past.
"Oh lassie, dearest lassie, love, I'd never dae ye wrang
The artist promises Molly that he will never hurt or mistreat her.
It's on my honest faither's life I swear I'll dae nae hairm
The artist vows to never cause harm to Molly based on his father's good reputation.
I'll busk ye braw and fairer so ye could bear the gree
The singer promises to dress Molly in fine clothing and make her the envy of others.
As the belle o' a' the country 'roond tae pad the road wi' me"
The singer sees Molly as the most beautiful woman who will accompany him on their journey, and they will be admired by others in the country.
So she has donned her hose and shoon and tae the kirk they've gaen
Molly agrees to marry the artist and goes to the church with him wearing her finest clothes.
And lang, ay lang 'ere mornin' that couple were made ane
It takes a long time before the marriage ceremony is complete.
And lang, lang 'ere the mornin', her troubles were set free
After their wedding, Molly is free from the troubles and pain of her past.
For she's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
The singer is happy to have Molly as his life partner and travel companion.
She's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
The artist repeats his joy of having Molly as his partner and travel companion.
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Gabriel-cn6fo
Says I, "My dearest Molly, come let us fix the time
Fan ye and I will mairried be and wedlock us combine
Fan ye and I get mairried, love, richt happy we will be
For ye are the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me"
"Tae pad the road wi' you, sir, cauld winter's comin' on
Besides, my aged parents have ne'er a girl but one
Besides, my aged parents have ne'er a girl but me
So I'm no' the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' thee"
"Oh never mind cauld winter, love, the spring will follow on
Come sit ye doon beside me, and I'll sing you a nice song
I'll sing you a nice song while I diddle ye on ma knee
For you're the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me"
"Oh the ither lads that I hae had, they proved of cruel mind
They beat me and bad used me and proved tae be unkind
They beat me and bad used me and garred me rue the day
That e'er I gied my love tae them tae pad the road away"
"Oh lassie, dearest lassie, love, I'd never dae ye wrang
It's on my honest faither's life I swear I'll dae nae hairm
I'll busk ye braw and fairer so ye could bear the gree
As the belle o' a' the country 'roond tae pad the road wi' me"
So she has donned her hose and shoon and tae the kirk they've gaen
And lang, ay lang 'ere mornin' that couple were made ane
And lang, lang 'ere the mornin', her troubles were set free
For she's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
For she's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
She's the bonnie lassie that's tae pad the road wi' me
@helenswan705
I do sing this sometimes at my local folk club. Even tho I cannot do the Scots accent!
@bigjesse1985
I'm desperately learning this song with my wife to sing at our wedding anniversary. Absolutely beautiful
@mccullochuk
I'd love to see/hear you both 🥰
@mariaserranolancha2731
I've discovered Malinky not long ago, but this song has become one of my favorite ones immediately. How sweet it is! It makes me so emotional 😊 pure art!!!!
@cgme7076
Thank you, Spotify. This song is great
@Olentzaro
Never heard of this band till now. Do love this song.
@apfelwein6001
Absolute Fantastic Song. Saw them live and they were absolutely great! I'm searching for other scottish folk songs with a female singer. Infos are always welcome. Slaintè Apfelwein from Germany
@laika6661
Apfelwein I may be seven years late but Karine Polwart is one of my favs
@bigjesse1985
Julie Fowlis. Every album is a classic. And yes, Karine Polwart is a cracking shout. Capercaillie are a stunning band, and Karen Matheson's solo stuff is great too
@KarateCritic
Love this song, thank you!