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The Molecatcher

from Role Call by Jan and Paul Ramsey

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about

There are a number of versions of the ballad ‘The Molecatcher’ and they feature various locations including most often either Manchester or Wellington. Here the Essex, Tawney Common version has been chosen for the main reason that it was the village in which one Samuel Threader invented the mole trap device. He made enough money from commercially selling his mole trap that he built the ‘Mole Trap Beer Shop’ in 1861. (There still remains a pub in the village. ‘The Mole Trap’.) The songs was considered too “raunchy” to be published in Victorian England and even in 1910, when Vaughan Williams contributed three tunes with the title The “Molecatcher” to the Journal he added the comment that “the words are unsuitable for this journal”.

‘The Molecatcher’ melody in the form of a jig for fiddle, was first printed by London publishers Charles and Samuel Thompson in their 1765 Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, (vol 2). However, it is not known whether the song “The Molecatcher”, or in Scotland, “The Modiewark”, have any connection with the jig.

lyrics

In old Tawney Common there’s a pub and a cow There lives a molecatcher and I'll tell you how
Well, he goes a-molecatching from morning till night
While the jolly young farmer goes playing with his wife

And it’s there he goes a sporting all night
There he goes till the morning light

Oh the molecatcher jealous of the very same thing
So he hid in the alehouse and watched him come in
And when that young farmer jumped over the stile
Well, it caused the molecatcher to laugh and to smile

He knocked at the door and thus he did say
Oh where is your husband? Good woman, I pray.
Well, he's gone a-mole catching so you need not fear.
But little did she think the molecatcher was near

She went upstairs and he followed the sign
But the molecatcher followed them closely behind
And when they got into the middle of their sport
Well, the molecatcher grabbed him quite fast by his coat

He clapped his hands and he laughed at the sight
Saying, Here's the best mole that I've caught in my life
And I'll make you pay well for ploughing my ground
And the money it shall be no less than ten pound

Very well, said the farmer, the money I don't mind
For it only works out about tuppence a time
So come all you farmers and mind where you're at
Don't you ever get caught in a molecatcher's trap

credits

from Role Call, released January 11, 2023
Traditional/Ramsey

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Jan and Paul Ramsey Grimsby, UK

Jan and Paul first began singing together when they were students. Jan plays guitar and sings lead vocals, and Paul plays single reed harmonica and vocals. They are renowned for their close harmonies. Over the years they have performed extensively in the UK and overseas. They have held various residencies in UK folk clubs and are currently residents at Grimsby Folk Club. ... more

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