Molly O Malley s is not too far from here Where not a soul, the story goes, ever pays for beer At Molly O Malley s the patrons understand That the player s fee is a pint or three So everyone s in the band Everybody s in the band Some join in with voices, some with pipes or reeds Some in the band clap their hands or laugh and slap their knees Some are still and listen with attentive eyes and ears And it s always strange how the music changes When they disappear When they disappear Over the doorway, painted bold A question begs your pardon Is this a place of many souls Or just one very large one? Over the bar, another reads Are there many songs Or just one that goes on and on? At Molley O Malley s they go chair to chair And each one croons a little tune they would like to share Some are sad, some happy, and singing has its rules That you can t be shy and you cannot lie But you sing a song that s true Sing a song that s true Over the doorway, painted bold A question begs your pardon Is this a place of many souls Or just one very large one? Over the bar, another reads Are there many songs Or just one that goes on and on? When the night is over, before the last farewell They find the jar on the bar and kindly tip themselves At Molley O Malley s, the patrons understand That the player s fee is a pint or three So everyone s in the band Everybody s in the band