Molly O'Mahony, "Golden Thing" // GemsOnVHS™

When I was last in Ireland, I went to a house show on a whim in Dublin. Nothing better than seeing live music in an intimate space, and I often meet kindred musical spirits in such environments. One such person is Luke Brabazon, an Irish documentary filmmaker whom I immediately hit it off with. In his little home on the southside of Dublin city, he was throwing a series of performances, cramming as many friends into his little living room for a night of songs and fun. I loved his work, his spirit and ethos, so after a night of pints we decided to collaborate. From Luke himself;
"A few weeks after I met Anthony, I was invited to the Duncairn Arts centre in Belfast to participate in their creative collective weekend. Once a season, they bring together about twenty of the island's best young folk musicians to create new music together.
Within one of the groups, I heard Molly O'Mahony singing. Her voice is deep and soulful, and she was a quiet but experienced and grounded presence in the circle, thoughtfully giving input to the song that was being created.
We got to chatting, and she reminded me that we'd actually talked on the phone about working together with her band Mongoose a few years ago. I heard someone from Australia recently describing Ireland as being too small to think of as a country on its own - more like a very large community living on an island together. Moments like this make me think this could be very true.
During the Sunday afternoon, we took a few minutes out from the rest of the crowd to film in the beautiful Australia Hall, which felt like a fitting venue for this performance of "Golden Thing".
Thank you to Rachel Cullen for helping out with recording the sound, and to The Duncairn for letting us borrow their audio gear!"
You can find Molly on Instagram at @mollyomahonymusic and listen to her tunes on Bandcamp at mollyomahony.b....
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, and Rusty Shackleford.
Consider becoming a Patreon contributor to help sustain this project. For the price of a cup of coffee every month, you let us continue finding and filming amazing artists.
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
We're on instagram (@gemsonvhs or @anthonysimpkins)
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www.gemsonvhs.com

[@GemsOnVHS]

If you liked this field recording, you can stream Molly's other tunes on Spotify (open.spotify.com/artist/6B7rkg2GfhTia7UQZQ92lx?si=3Z7IaQglRMSlNe8EjzQ62g) and you can find her on Instagram at @mollyomahonymusic. In case ya haven't heard, we're on Spotify. You can find a bunch of our field recordings and a few curated playlists on Spotify (open.spotify.com/artist/7t78CwAbQIA6DKAKUKBYgl?si=azjOzyOqTciIRPthnHNphg). Love y'all!

[@duhcohtuh1500]

Will this one be on the playlist? Love it 💕

[@joeyb8067]

I love that feeling when you hear a song and it just instantly hits.

[@duhcohtuh1500]

Totally. This is one of those for sure. So beautiful.

[@randomthoughts23]

@@duhcohtuh1500, nearly every song that Gems posts, for sure.

[@cascadecodymusic]

The writing is of surreal quality! Not used to hearing folk songs this detailed and poignant! It stitches the line between practical lyrics and colored story telling so perfectly that you have to hear it fifty times before you scratch the surface. This is a new gems classic!

[@timsweeney9558]

New classic for sure.

[@pageluvva]

Well said

[@LukeBrabazon]

This was such a lovely song to film, thank you to Molly, everyone at The Duncairn and Anthony for the opportunity to share this!

[@maireadheffernan9943]

beautiful deep tone to her voice. Love her singing

[@kevinflannery5263]

We gave this to our newborn daughter as her birth song. Tully Keys Flannery Born at home in SF, CA 11/17/23 at 10:59pm Thank you, Molly 💖

[@timsweeney9558]

This is one of the most beautiful songs in any genre I've ever heard. Thank you. I really need to get to Ireland

[@Tom-1515]

This is hands down the most beautiful field recording you guys have done yet. This channel really is a Gem.

[@GemsOnVHS]

high praise. thanks !

[@KyleMcStravick]

I can't find this on your Apple music playlist, is it available anywhere other than this youtube video? -obsessed @@GemsOnVHS

[@SolomonTheBard]

Lyrics: when the road is long, Stitch up your courage and carry on. when your hearts not strong, gather up the pieces till time moves on. had a golden thing, wore it about you like the robes of a king. that was a heavy price, never were to wore them though they fit real nice. they were another's robes, sewn up and claimed in the days of old. the days of old. the days of old. so with the utmost care, took em off and layed em on the others chair. but you lingered there, caressing the folds with your shoulders bare. with the help of grace, stitched up your courage and you left that place. you left that place. that place. now with the vaguest plan, you take to the road like a roving man. if the road is long, stich up your courage and carry on. and if it all feels wrong, hold onto the pieces baby. 'cause time moves on. time moves on. time moves on.

[@KyleMcStravick]

Thank you!

[@keshajazz]

thank you!🖤🙌

[@japhyryder66]

Thank you!

[@JaneWillowMusic]

So glad you discovered Molly! She's incredible as songwriter and vocalist! I love Molly's new solo project, it managed to be even more individual and interesting than her previous endeavours with Mongoose. Magical. I was hoping this was gonna be a video of her song 'Brother Blue', but this song is equally wonderful too. Thanks for sharing her work Anthony.

[@calebg.conrad8814]

I’m so glad I discovered Molly, too.

[@johnhoward8567]

Very beautiful reminds me of London Conversation

[@Burrows91]

This is the top 3 songs on gemvhs on here . Deserves so much more

[@GemsOnVHS]

Glad you dig it. Trying to find some great stuff all over the globe.

[@moonshineshorey6688]

I can't get over how beautiful and nourishing this song is.

[@randonbaampbellca4206]

This is one of the best you guys have found!

[@spudelrudel2979]

Hey Molly, i love your unique style of singing and playing. Your writing gets me to certain places, you are transporting like Nick Drake used to do, but again, in your very unique way.

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Simply amazing. Great song, what a great voice, and wonderful capture of a beautiful performance. Thank you

[@JudithDubeau]

It warms my heart like fresh bread out if the oven 🤍 C'est si doux !

[@pageluvva]

This is simply so beautiful and sad and powerful and her performance does the words justice. Oh thank you for sending her my way.

[@michaelsongs]

If there’s a word that means both gentle & strong… this is that. It floats around so softly, but with this power that convinces to sit down & listen. This voice in control of the experience & will guide the journey. So good!❤

[@Barthali]

Beautiful!!

[@NudiArtist]

Beautifully sung as always!

[@keshajazz]

tender tune. humble artist. I love it.

[@t9620]

Such beautiful incredible talent! 🙏🎸

[@connerross612]

That voice is just WOW!

[@aftermath66699]

Beautiful songs From A beautiful lady This song always Makes me cry Every single time My own secret system Guess I live my life in the past Its the only thing fair That's left to me now in this time and place we all now live AND live our lives Thanks so much from The ghost on the shore

[@jzonkel]

Such a beautiful voice

[@Hubris73]

Beautiful space, beautiful performance, beautiful recording. Aces all around!

[@johnbowman8207]

This is so amazing, can help but cry.

[@GemsOnVHS]

same

[@48kaboom]

I love this. It’s true she has a very grounded presence. I trust her 😉

[@josedelondres2320]

Gorgeous voice

[@MuireannBradley]

Breathtaking !

[@japhyryder66]

My God. What a masterpiece!

[@ianshortall3356]

Love that voice!!!

[@tullsongs]

Sounds like a song John Martyn might have written. Gorgeous and distinctive voice too !

[@KeepinItChill]

Awesome voice, guitar playing, editing, setting, video angles. Good job all around! As always!

[@SolomonTheBard]

i absolutely adore this

[@TheDorkle]

right onnnn 🤘🏼 Such a voice, incredible

[@MrBenjaminMurphy]

This one has been on repeat since release. Such a great tune

[@alanroberts6663]

I LOVE THIS. ❤

[@aftermath66699]

You hear her cries And feel her pain Every time i can t help that But everytime I die inside Restless visions on the horizons lost in her hair every night I shoulda stopped or brought her along Guess i m not really that strong Here today but by tomorrow i ll Be gone I loved the chase that was my life back then Public enemy number one It was all a game She needed me bad But i left her alone I was so wrong So wrong i often wonder how and where today She has gone I forsake my past From now on The pains still real Ringing out too Oooh ooohh The days of old Oooh ooohh

[@leslieholmes2899]

Very original. Great voice.

[@jalubay4937]

Wow, just wow.

[@Zen_Techniques]

Beautiful voice 😇

[@frinkfronk9198]

so good. thank you

[@DylanWalshe]

Sublime 👌

[@DillonG71]

wow

[@dohertyy94]

Great tune.

[@lomig7800]

Magnifique

[@TheMfmccarthy]

You're a genius, Molly

[@cent-kz2ti]

awesome writing and singing

[@jkattravels]

Got some Joni in her

[@johnisaacdavey]

This is a really nice song and presentation. Good, good.

[@lojomc9311]

This shit made me cry and I'm not even sure why

[@mattwinthewoods]

I’m reminded of Nick Drake in the best way.

[@duhcohtuh1500]

Absolutely… or John Martyn. Two of my favorites. Love this so much.

[@keshajazz]

could someone write down lyrics of the song in the comment section? i would really appreciate.

[@SolomonTheBard]

done💙

[@calebg.conrad8814]

Where in the hell can I find this?

[@skurhse]

caressing the folds with your shoulders bare

[@chrissaldana4real]

If I wasn't married girl...

[@TheMfmccarthy]

Yeah, it doesn't get more attractive than that

[@jossfitzsimons]

If she is a racist I'm one too! And proud.