Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Valentine’s Day approaches- so here’s an Irish song of heartbreak for you! “Courting is a Pleasure” has been found Ireland, and a wide number of versions have been collected in American old-time music traditions by titles such as “Loving Hannah” and “Handsome Molly.”
The gender perspective of this song changes depending on the version- here I’m singing from a male perspective (though you could definitely imagine this as a queer narrative with these lyrics too!), but what I suspect to be newer versions tell the story from the perspective of a woman who feels betrayed by a man.
There’s much more to this Irish traditional song beyond these first few verses- and the lyrics get very punchy! I recommend looking up Rita Gallagher and Julie Fowlis’ “Going to Mass Last Sunday” and Jean Ritchie’s “Loving Hannah” versions on YouTube.
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Lyrics:
Courting is a pleasure between my love and I,
And it's down in yonder valley I will meet her by and by.
It's down in yon green valley she is my heart's delight,
And it's with my lovely Molly, I would stay 'til the broad daylight.
Going to mass last Sunday, my love she passed me by,
I could tell her mind was changing by the roving of her eye.
I could tell her mind was altered to a lad of high degree,
Oh Molly, cruel Molly, your looks have wounded me.
#irishfolksong #americanoldtimemusic #valentinesdaysong #romancesong #heartbreaksong #irishtraditionalsong #bard #celticsong #celticlovesong
Valentine’s Day approaches- so here’s an Irish song of heartbreak for you! “Courting is a Pleasure” has been found Ireland, and a wide number of versions have been collected in American old-time music traditions by titles such as “Loving Hannah” and “Handsome Molly.”
The gender perspective of this song changes depending on the version- here I’m singing from a male perspective (though you could definitely imagine this as a queer narrative with these lyrics too!), but what I suspect to be newer versions tell the story from the perspective of a woman who feels betrayed by a man.
There’s much more to this Irish traditional song beyond these first few verses- and the lyrics get very punchy! I recommend looking up Rita Gallagher and Julie Fowlis’ “Going to Mass Last Sunday” and Jean Ritchie’s “Loving Hannah” versions on YouTube.
Join my newsletter for upcoming courses and events by going to the link in my bio!
Lyrics:
Courting is a pleasure between my love and I,
And it's down in yonder valley I will meet her by and by.
It's down in yon green valley she is my heart's delight,
And it's with my lovely Molly, I would stay 'til the broad daylight.
Going to mass last Sunday, my love she passed me by,
I could tell her mind was changing by the roving of her eye.
I could tell her mind was altered to a lad of high degree,
Oh Molly, cruel Molly, your looks have wounded me.
#irishfolksong #americanoldtimemusic #valentinesdaysong #romancesong #heartbreaksong #irishtraditionalsong #bard #celticsong #celticlovesong
