On September 5, 2012, they announced a reunion show that was held at Bluegrass First Class in Asheville, NC, on February 16, 2013. This event reunited The Bluegrass Album Band with their former manager and promoter, Milton Harkey.
Molly
The Bluegrass Album Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tenbrooks gonna beat you, to the bright shining sun
To the bright shining sun, oh, Lord, to the bright shining sun
Tenbrooks was a big bay horse, he wore a shaggy mane
He ran all 'round Memphis, and he beat the Memphis train
Beat the Memphis train, oh, Lord beat the Memphis train
Running in the hot sun with a fever in my head
Fever in my head, oh, Lord, fever in my head
Molly said to Tenbrooks, you're looking mighty squirrel
Tenbrooks said to Molly, I'm leaving this old world
Leaving this old world, oh, Lord, leaving this old world
Out in California, where Molly done as she pleased
She came back to old Kentucky, got beat with all ease
Beat with all ease, oh, Lord, beat with all ease
Women's all a-laughin', children's all a-cryin'
Men folks all a-hollin', ol' Tenbrooks a-flyin'
Ol' Tenbrooks a-flyin', oh, Lord, ol' Tenbrooks a-flyin'
Kyper, Kyper, you're not a-ridin' right
Molly's beatin' old Tenbrooks clear out of sight
Clear out of sight, oh, Lord, clear out of sight
Kyper, Kyper, Kyper my son
Give ol' Tenbrooks the bridle, let ol' Tenbrooks run
Let ol' Tenbrooks run, oh, Lord, let ol' Tenbrooks run
Go a-catch ol' Tenbrooks and hitch him in the shade
We're gonna bury ol' Molly, the coffin's ready-made
Coffin's ready-made, oh, Lord, the coffin's ready-made
Let ol' Tenbrooks run, oh, Lord, let ol' Tenbrooks run
The Bluegrass Album Band’s song “Molly & Tenbrooks” tells the story of a horse race between two legendary horses named Molly and Tenbrooks. The first verse establishes the premise of the song, with Molly and Tenbrooks racing to the “bright shining sun”. In the second verse, Tenbrooks is described as a “big bay horse” who has already beaten the Memphis train in his previous races. In the third verse, Molly is depicted as a fiery competitor, who has a fever and runs with reckless abandon. The fourth verse highlights Tenbrooks’ resignation from the race and “leaving this old world”.
The fifth verse takes place after Molly has moved to California and returns to Kentucky for the race with Tenbrooks. However, the competition is not even, and Molly is beaten with ease, much to the amusement of onlookers. The sixth verse describes the uproarious scene at the conclusion of the race. Men shout and cheer while women and children laugh and cry. The seventh verse depicts Kyper, the rider of Tenbrooks, being teased for his apparent inability to ride. However, Kyper’s fortunes change when he hands the bridle to Tenbrooks, allowing the horse to run at his full speed. Finally, the song ends with the decision to bury Molly and let Tenbrooks run.
Line by Line Meaning
Run ol' Molly run, run ol' Molly run
Start running now, Molly. Keep running, Molly.
Tenbrooks gonna beat you, to the bright shining sun
Tenbrooks is going to outrun you all the way to the end.
To the bright shining sun, oh, Lord, to the bright shining sun
All the way to the finish line.
Tenbrooks was a big bay horse, he wore a shaggy mane
Tenbrooks was a big powerful horse with a thick mane.
He ran all 'round Memphis, and he beat the Memphis train
Tenbrooks was so fast that he could run circles around the train and still beat it.
Tenbrooks said to Molly, what makes your hair so red?
Tenbrooks inquires about the color of Molly's hair, as if it matters to their race.
Running in the hot sun with a fever in my head
Molly attributes the redness of her hair to the heat of the sun she ran under, which causes her head to ache.
Molly said to Tenbrooks, you're looking mighty squirrel
Molly mocks Tenbrooks for looking nervous or jittery before the race.
Tenbrooks said to Molly, I'm leaving this old world
Tenbrooks vows to give his all in the race and leave everything behind.
Out in California, where Molly done as she pleased
Molly went to California and enjoyed her time there, free to do as she pleased.
She came back to old Kentucky, got beat with all ease
When Molly raced in Kentucky upon her return, she was easily beaten and failed to live up to her reputation.
Women's all a-laughin', children's all a-cryin'
People expressed their emotions through laughter and tears after Tenbrooks won the race.
Men folks all a-hollin', ol' Tenbrooks a-flyin'
The men were shouting and celebrating as Tenbrooks crossed the finish line first.
Kyper, Kyper, you're not a-ridin' right
Kyper, the jockey for Molly, is being criticized for his poor riding.
Molly's beatin' old Tenbrooks clear out of sight
Molly is ahead of Tenbrooks by a significant margin.
Kyper, Kyper, Kyper my son
An exclamation of frustration directed towards Kyper.
Give ol' Tenbrooks the bridle, let ol' Tenbrooks run
They're suggesting that if they gave Tenbrooks a little push, he might be able to catch up to and beat Molly.
Go a-catch ol' Tenbrooks and hitch him in the shade
Tenbrooks needs a rest, so his handlers instruct someone to bring him to the shade for some respite.
We're gonna bury ol' Molly, the coffin's ready-made
Molly is defeated and dead, and they have already prepared a coffin for her funeral.
Let ol' Tenbrooks run, oh, Lord, let ol' Tenbrooks run
Tenbrooks is a powerful and majestic animal that should be allowed to run free.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BILL MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TonyWud
Thanks for posting this for people all over the planet Earth.
@scottfleming6166
Tony was a very solid bluegrass vocalist. Always right in the pocket amazing talent he was
@countryboj
KINGS, QUEENS AND KINGDOMS OF BLUEGRASS!
@sjwilson1698
One of Monroe's classics , done as well as it can be done, BG album band's musicanship shows through,......awesome !
@Justin-hb9wc
Great people great music
@royallenfields5883
Tony Rice is THE MAN!!!
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@trobb32
Tony Rice does Bluegrass RIGHT!!!
@OrphanAnnieTrNb90
I absolutely love The Bluegrass Album Band. I'm also quite happy because Milton Harkey promotes them and he's the best at what he does. Visit me at www.facebook.com/TonyRiceFriendsnfans/