Old Molly Hare

Classic Old-Time Fiddle tune recorded in the 1920’s by Fiddlin’ Powers & Family.  The Fiddlin’ Powers & Family recording includes singing (see lyrics below).

My version of Old Molly Hare is an amalgamation of the various versions I’ve heard on recordings.  I’ve also included a nice variation for your learning pleasure (included in the tab download). 

You can also play Molly Hare on the next set of strings over on your mandolin.  Instead of starting on the E string, play the same frets, but start on the A string.  You would be then playing in the key of G.  Nifty! Once you learn the tab version of Old Molly Hare, you can instantly play it in two keys.

Here are a few versions of Old Molly Hare for your listening enjoyment.

-Fiddlin’ Powers & Family, The Cornshucker's Frolic, Vol. 2 Downhome Music and Entertainment From the American Countryside Classic Recordings from the 1920s and 30s, Yazoo 2046

-Franklin George, Traditional Music For Banjo, Fiddle, & Bagpipes, County Records 2703-CD

-Mike Seeger and Peggy Seeger, American Folk Songs for Children, Rounder

-Paul Smith and Friends, Devil Eat The Groundhog, Rounder CD 0409

-Rhys Jones, Jeff Miller, Jim Nelson, All I’ve Got’s Done Gone

-Steve Rosen/Acie Cargill, Old-Timey Giants

-Tommy Jarrell, The Legacy Of Tommy Jarrell, Vol. 2: Rainbow Sign, County Records CD2727

Lyrics for Old Molly Hare:

Old Molly Hare, what you doin' there,

Running down the road just as fast as I can tear.

Run down one run down two,

Run down one and give it to you.

Step back, step back, daddy shot a bear,

Shot him in the eye and never touched a hair.

Old Molly Hare, what you doin' there,

Sitting on a hillside eating on a bear ?

Jump up, jump up yonder comes bea,

Coming down the hillside as hard as he can tear.

Look back, look back, daddy shot a bear.

Shot him in the eye and never touched a hair.

Old Molly Hare, if you don't care,

Leave my liquor jug sitting right there.

Old Molly Hair, she took a spell,

Kicked my liquor jug all to ----

Step back, step back, daddy shot a bear,

Shot him in the eye and never touched a hair.

Old Molly Hare, what you doin' there,

Running through the briar patch as hard as you can tear.

I'd rather be here than back there,

Big ball of cuckleberries tangled in my hair,

Step back, step back, daddy shot a bear,

Shot him in the eye and never touched a hair.

Download a pdf of Old Mollly Hare -> Click OldMollyHare.pdf.