Pretty Polly- Coon Creek Girls (KY) 1938 REC
[From: Vocalion recording; May 30, 1938, in Chicago, issued on Vocalion 04659, and reissued on Smithsonian RM 025-C and Old Homestead. The Coon Creek Girls were led by Lily Mae Ledford (banjo, fiddle) and other band members included her sister Rosie, Ester Koehler and Evelyn Land.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- From Lily Mae Ledford's recording with The Coon Creek Girls; Kentucky, 1938. Also by her granddaughter Cari Norris. Lily played a solo version later in life.
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I courted Pretty Polly I've been all around.
Where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
Where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
Diamonds on her finger and her lily white hands
Polly, Pretty Polly come along with me, [bis.]
Before we get married some pleasure to see.
He lead her over hills and valleys so deep,
Then Pretty Polly, she began to weep.
Willie, oh Willie I'm afraid of your ways
I'm afraid you're going to lead me astray.
Polly, oh Polly your guess is about right,
I dug on your grave the biggest part of last night,
She went a little further and what did she spy,
A new dug grave with a spade lying by.
She threw her arms around him and begged for her life,
Deep into her bosom he plunged the fatal knife.
She fell to the ground and the blood it did flow,
Then into her grave Pretty Polly did go.
He threw the dirt around her and turned to go home,
No one around but the birds to weep and mourn.
A debt to the devil Willie must pay,
For killing Pretty Polly and running away.