Don't Prittle Nor Prattle- Ridley (Kent) c.1966
[My date, this poorly remembered fragment was probably learned by 1930s. From Travellers' Songs from England and Scotland" by Ewan Maccoll, Peggy Seeger. Ridley was a trveller born in Kent in 1913. He learned his versions early in life.
R. Matteson 2018]
"Don't Prittle Nor Prattle," sung by Nelson Ridley. The tune is characteristic of those found in the Bronson A-category (roughly between numbers 26 and 40), but none of these similar versions contain our two odd second and third phrases.
1. Don't prittle nor prattle, my pretty Polly,
Don't you tell any tales about me,
You cage will be made of the glittering gold,
you'll have the door of the best ivory.
2 Now, you go and get me your father's bright gold,
Then likewise your own mother's money;
Your cage will be made of the glittering gold,
You'll have a door of the best ivory.
3 Now you go and get me your father's bright gold,
(To the stables remounted I'm told);
For the gold it will waste and your silver may shine,
You'll have the door of the best ivory.