Polly's Love- Mrs. Gulliver (Som) 1905 Hammond
[Henry Hammond Manuscript Collection (HAM/2/1/25). The beginning is missing s well as several stanzas.
R. Matteson 2016]
Polly's Love- sung by Mrs Gulliver, Combe Florey, Somerset May, 1905.
1. 'Twas early one morning by the brink of the day,
He went to this poor girl, these words he did say:
2. "Oh! Polly, dearest Polly you must go with me,
For before we are married our friend for to see."
3. 'Twas early one morning by the brink of the day,
He went to this poor girl and led her astray.
4. He led her through woods and valleys so deep
Which caused this poor girl to sigh and to weep.
5. He led her through woods and valleys so deep
Which caused this poor girl to sigh and to say:
6. "Oh! Willie, dear Willie you've led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life[1] and my body to destroy."
7. "Oh! Polly, dear Polly your words it is true,
For all this long night I've been digging for you."
8. For the grave it is open, and the spade's standing by,
On purpose to bury you, to bury you today.
9. Oh pardon for me, poor Polly," she cried,
"For remember dear William, I'm not fit to die."
10. So quick-a-ly he stabbed her and the blood 'gan to flow[2],
And into this cold grave poor Polly he threw.
11. He covered her up so safe and so sound,
For thinking this murder would never be found,
12. "There is a murder, there is murder, has lately been done
For the ship is in mourning and will not sail on."
13. Then up stepped the captain and up stepped he,
Then up stepped young William: "I'll swear it's not me."
14. So quick-a-ly he turned around and who should he see,
For murdering the baby, the baby and she.
15. She rant[3] him, and strant[4] him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered the baby and she.
1. MS has "hendel"
2. MS has "flew" to rhyme
3. rent
4. inside rhyme with rant, usually "stripped" and then "tore."