Digital Tradition Mirror

Pretty Polly (2)

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Pretty Polly (2)

I courted Pretty Polly the live-long night
I courted Pretty Polly the live-long night
Then left her next morning before it was light.

O Polly, pretty Polly, come away with me,
O Polly, pretty Polly, come away with me,
Before we get married some pleasure to see.

He led her over the fields and the valleys so wide (2x)
Until pretty Polly, she fell by his side.

Oh Willie, oh Willie, I'm scaird of your ways  (2x)
I'm afraid you will lead my poor body astray.

Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, you're guessing just right (2x)
I dug on  your  grave the best part of last night.

She threw her arms around him and trembled with fear (2x)
How can you kill the poor girl that loves you so dear.

There's no time to talk and there's no time to stand (2x)
Then he drew his knife all in his right hand.

He stabbed her to the heart and her heart's blood did flow, (2x)
And into the grave pretty Polly did go.

Then he threw a little dirt over her and started for home  L2x)
Leaving no one behind but the wild birds to mourn.

NOTE: Essentially the Dock Boggs version (Folkways Anthology Records)
     See also Cruel Ship Carpenter, Gosport Tragedy, Banks of Red Roses
DT #311
Laws P36
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!