Earle was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, and grew up near San Antonio, Texas. His father, Jack Earle, was an air traffic controller. Although he was born in Virginia where his father was stationed, the family returned to Texas before Earle's second birthday. They moved several times but Earle grew up primarily in the San Antonio area.
Earle began learning the guitar at the age of 11 and placed in a talent contest at his school at age 13. He is reported to have run away from home at age 14 to follow his idol, singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt around Texas. Earle was "rebellious" as a youngster and dropped out of school at the age of 16. He moved to Houston with his 19-year-old uncle, who was also a musician, where he married and worked odd jobs. While in Houston Earle finally met Van Zandt, who became his hero and role model.
In 1975, at the age of 20, Earle moved to Nashville and began working as a songwriter. In these early days, he recorded with Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris. He finally scored a country hit in 1981, writing Johnny Lee's top ten cut "When You Fall in Love." Earle's early work as a performer tended towards the rockabilly sound, popular at the time. In 1986, his first proper album Guitar Town was a critical and commercial success. It sold over 300,000 copies and led some to herald him as a saviour of country music.
Earle long struggled with drug abuse. His addiction eventually caused a departure from performing and recording after he was dropped by MCA in 1991. Whilst in jail on drug and firearm charges, he kicked the habit and returned to music after his release in 1994.
Earle's "second, post-jail, musical career" has been more stylistically diverse than his early material, dipping in acoustic, bluegrass, and roots rock sounds. I Feel Alright and Transcendental Blues met with good reviews and decent sales. 2002's somewhat controversial Jerusalem was one of the first albums to directly address the September 11 attacks. It brought Earle's leftist views to media attention, especially the song "John Walker's Blues."
His latest album of original material I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive was released in 2011. Songfacts reports that one of the tracks, This City, got played on HBO’s New Orleans based show Treme several months before the album‘s release. Earle, who plays a recurring street musician, composed the song especially for the drama series.
Earle has also released a tribute album of material written by friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt, entitled Townes.
For more information and photographs of Steve Earle go to his official website, www.SteveEarle.com.
Molly-O
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sword and pistol by my side
Long come a traveller lay him low
All for the love of my Molly-O
I left my family I left my home
Out in the wicked world to roam
No road so low I won't go
Oh Molly
Oh Molly
Oh Molly
All for the love of my Molly-O
I love Molly Gold only knows
Molly loves diamonds pearls and gold
Bangles beads and bells I bring
But Molly won't wear no wedding ring
Men have dies for lesser things
Vengeance, country, God and King
Someday I'll swing from the gallows pole
A final dance for my Molly-O
The lyrics to Steve Earle's song Molly-O relate to a lover who is willing to risk everything for the love of a woman named Molly. The song is set in the shadow of a chestnut tree where the singer is hiding with a sword and pistol by his side. The lyrics suggest that the singer has a violent side, and he is willing to lay down anyone who threatens his love for Molly. The singer has left his family and home to roam in the wicked world, and he claims that there is no road too low for him to travel down for Molly.
The chorus repeats the name Molly three times, suggesting that she is the central point of the singer's life. The lyrics further reveal that the singer loves Molly, but she is materialistic and driven by wealth. He brings her bangles, beads, and bells, but she refuses to wear a wedding ring. The last verse suggests that the singer is willing to die for Molly, as men have died for lesser things like vengeance, country, God, and king. He knows that someday he will swing from the gallows pole, and it will be his final dance with Molly.
In summary, Steve Earle's "Molly-O" is a love song that highlights the singer's willingness to do anything for the woman he loves, even if it means risking his life. The song's themes of violence, materialism, and the singer's undeterred love for Molly make it a compelling and thought-provoking song.
Line by Line Meaning
In the shadow of the chestnut tree I hide
I am hiding in the shadow of the chestnut tree.
Sword and pistol by my side
I carry a sword and pistol with me.
Long come a traveller lay him low
I killed a traveler who came by.
All for the love of my Molly-O
I did it all because of my love for Molly.
I left my family I left my home
I abandoned my family and home.
Out in the wicked world to roam
I am wandering around the evil world.
No road so low I won't go
I am willing to go to any length.
Down for the love of my Molly-O
I am doing it all for the love of Molly.
Oh Molly
Oh Molly!
Oh Molly
Oh Molly!
Oh Molly
Oh Molly!
All for the love of my Molly-O
I am doing everything because of my love for Molly.
I love Molly Gold only knows
I love Molly more than anything, only Gold knows.
Molly loves diamonds pearls and gold
Molly loves diamonds, pearls, and gold.
Bangles beads and bells I bring
I bring bangles, beads, and bells for Molly.
But Molly won't wear no wedding ring
Molly won't wear a wedding ring.
Men have dies for lesser things
Men have died for less important things than love.
Vengeance, country, God and King
People have died for revenge, country, God, and King.
Someday I'll swing from the gallows pole
I will be executed and hang from the gallows pole someday.
A final dance for my Molly-O
It will be my final dance for Molly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind