Lyrics

Captain Molly 1776 (The ballad of Margaret Corbin)

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Fort Washington defended New York City.
In 1776, fighting wasn’t pretty.
Molly Corbin joined her brave husband, John.
She carried water to cool down his cannon.
Chords to chorus
600 against 4,000, not good news.
Their cannon crew was down to just them two.
Molly cleaned and loaded so John could fire.
And battle cry from the Fort rose even higher.

Chorus
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Liberty or death. Live free or die.
Fight on. Our flag still flies.

Molly screamed as John went down, her fallen hero.
At 25 she was an orphan, and now a widow.
Jake to her right yelled, “Molly turn and fly.”
But she picked up a hailshot and joined the battle cry.
Chorus

Her ram and sponge moved quickly back and forth.
Her cannon had better aim than before.
Her fury sent death to our enemies,
So all the muskets turned their fire to Captain Molly.
Chorus

She lost her arm and a check & was left for dead.
For a long time she lay in her recovery bed.
For her service she got half a soldier’s pension.
For many years you wouldn’t even find her mentioned.
Women canceled plans for a statue she should get,
‘Cause she used her rum ration and hung out with the other vets.
(Singing:) Chorus

Words and Music by David B. Hakan
© 2016 All Rights Reserved
7-4-16