The band is one of the few outfits still burning with the fire of punk, but managing to combine it with the ideals and knowledge of English folk music - a balancing act they've made into a fine art over the years. And they have deep roots in the U.K. folk scene, emerging from both the Whitstable Oyster Co. Ceilidh Band, which formed in 1975, and Fiddler's Dram, a group put together in 1973 by Dave Arbus, whose fiddle work had graced releases by East of Eden and the Who.
Prosser, Telfer, and Taylor were also in Fiddler's Dram, whose moment of fame arrived in 1979 with the British hit single "Day Trip to Bangor" - released after they'd split up. They reconvened for a last album when Kearey joined them. He also became part of the band's alter ego, the roots-oriented Oyster Ceilidh Band, as they'd now become. With Fiddler's Dram no longer extant, the members put their energies in the newly renamed Oyster Band in 1981, playing gigs around England and self-releasing albums on their own Pukka label.
The band returned in 2003 after the longest recording layoff of its career with Rise Above, which included eight originals and two English traditional numbers, and featured the work of Irish piper James O'Grady throughout.
In 1990, the band collaborated with renowned folk singer June Tabor for the album Freedom and Rain and a tour.
Current Lineup:
Chopper - bass guitar, cello, vocals
John Jones - melodeon, lead vocals
Alan Prosser - guitars, viola, vocals
Ian Telfer - fiddle, English concertina, vocals
Dil Davies - drums
http://www.oysterband.co.uk/
Molly Bond
Oysterband Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beware of your shooting at the setting of the sun
It happened one evening in a large shower of hail
When under a bower my love was concealed
He apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling at the setting of the sun
As I walked up to her and found it was she
My limbs they grew weary and my eyes couldn't see
The ring on her finger, most bitterly I cried
O Molly, if you were living, you'd've been my fond bride
Home to my father like lightning I did run
Saying Father, dearest father, do you know what I've done?
Her apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling at the setting of the sun
Her apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling, and where shall I run?
His father in the corner with his hair turning grey
O my dear Jimmy, don't you run away
Stay in this country until the trial comes on
You never shall be hung by the laws of this land
The day of the trial to the judge she appeared
As God is my witness young Jimmy must go clear
My apron flew around me, he took me as a swan
And I know his heart lies bleeding for his own Molly Bond
The song Molly Bond is a traditional Irish ballad that tells a tragic tale of a young man who accidentally shoots his own lover, Molly, mistaking her for a swan at the setting of the sun. The lyrics serve as a warning to young men who enjoy shooting to beware of the dangers of shooting in low light. The opening lines of the song invite young gallants who delight in a gun to be cautious when shooting as darkness falls.
The singer sets the scene of the tragic event, which occurred during a large hailstorm when his lover was under a bower. He mistakenly sees her apron as the wings of a swan and shoots her at the setting of the sun. When he realizes his mistake, he is filled with grief and guilt. The ring on her finger is a reminder of what might have been, and he rushes home to confess to his father.
The story ends with a glimmer of hope as the judge absolves the young man of any intentional wrongdoing, and it becomes clear that he is still mourning his lost love. The lyrics suggest that he will always carry the burden of what happened with him, and his heart will forever bleed for his dear Molly Bond.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all you young gallants that delight in a gun
Attention, young men who enjoy shooting: beware of the consequences of your actions.
Beware of your shooting at the setting of the sun
Avoid shooting your gun when the sun is setting, as visibility is poor and danger can arise.
It happened one evening in a large shower of hail
This story takes place during a hailstorm one evening.
When under a bower my love was concealed
My beloved was hidden under a bower or shelter.
He apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
Her apron billowed out, and in the moment, I mistook her for a swan.
And I shot my own darling at the setting of the sun
I accidentally shot and killed my own beloved during the difficult lighting conditions of sunset.
As I walked up to her and found it was she
Realizing who I had just shot, I approached her.
My limbs they grew weary and my eyes couldn't see
I was overcome with shock and grief, and my body felt heavy and my vision blurry.
The ring on her finger, most bitterly I cried
Seeing the ring on her finger, I cried more intensely with heartbreak.
O Molly, if you were living, you'd've been my fond bride
Oh Molly, if you were still alive, we would have been wed with strong affection.
Home to my father like lightning I did run
I ran home to my father as quickly as possible.
Saying Father, dearest father, do you know what I've done?
I told my father what had happened in distress.
And where shall I run?
I am questioning where I should go, feeling panicked and unsure of my future.
His father in the corner with his hair turning grey
My father was in the corner, growing old and feeling troubled.
O my dear Jimmy, don't you run away
My father urged me not to flee.
Stay in this country until the trial comes on
My father advised me to stay in the area until the trial occurred.
You never shall be hung by the laws of this land
My father reassured me that I wouldn't be punished by the country's laws with hanging.
The day of the trial to the judge she appeared
On the day of the trial, she appeared in front of the judge.
As God is my witness young Jimmy must go clear
With God as their witness, the judge declared that I was not guilty.
And I know his heart lies bleeding for his own Molly Bond
I know that Jimmy is heartbroken over the loss of his beloved Molly Bond.
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Footshot Neill
Come all you young gallants that delight in a gun
Beware of your shooting at the setting of the sun
It happened one evening in a large shower of hail
When under a bower my love was concealed
He apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling at the setting of the sun
As I walked up to her and found it was she
My limbs they grew weary and my eyes couldn't see
The ring on her finger, most bitterly I cried
O Molly, if you were living, you'd've been my fond bride
Home to my father like lightning I did run
Saying Father, dearest father, do you know what I've done?
Her apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling at the setting of the sun
Her apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling, and where shall I run?
His father in the corner with his hair turning grey
O my dear Jimmy, don't you run away
Stay in this country until the trial comes on
You never shall be hung by the laws of this land
The day of the trial to the judge she appeared
As God is my witness young Jimmy must go clear
My apron flew around me, he took me as a swan
And I know his heart lies bleeding for his own Molly Bond
Valerie Donnelly
This song is awesome - sends a shiver down the spine every time....
scrimshank1
Never seen them in concert but have bought their recordings since the day of "records".Best version of this song ever.
fodland
I love this song! It sounds even better here than on the Alive and Acoustic album. Oysterband is amazing :)
Shaksvshav
Been a fan since the year dot. Some of the best musicians around, playing my sort of music.
Footshot Neill
Come all you young gallants that delight in a gun
Beware of your shooting at the setting of the sun
It happened one evening in a large shower of hail
When under a bower my love was concealed
He apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling at the setting of the sun
As I walked up to her and found it was she
My limbs they grew weary and my eyes couldn't see
The ring on her finger, most bitterly I cried
O Molly, if you were living, you'd've been my fond bride
Home to my father like lightning I did run
Saying Father, dearest father, do you know what I've done?
Her apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling at the setting of the sun
Her apron flew around her, I took her as a swan
And I shot my own darling, and where shall I run?
His father in the corner with his hair turning grey
O my dear Jimmy, don't you run away
Stay in this country until the trial comes on
You never shall be hung by the laws of this land
The day of the trial to the judge she appeared
As God is my witness young Jimmy must go clear
My apron flew around me, he took me as a swan
And I know his heart lies bleeding for his own Molly Bond
SlightlySusan
I love John's oh-so-English singing style contrasted with the almost supernatural sound of the guitar for this song.
celticqueen0401
absolutely brilliant song !!!!
Henk Loobuyck
such a great song !
aadsmid
This is really an uncommercial song: beautiful !
rockweaver
Lovely!!