[Pretty Polly] Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight- Elizabeth A. Smith (MA) 1908 Barry JAFL
[My title; first published as version L in Barry's 1908 book, Folk-Songs of the North Atlantic States. From Irish Folk-Song by Phillips Barry The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 24, No. 93 (Jul. - Sep., 1911), pp. 332-343.
E.A.S. the informant in 1911 is Elizabeth A. Smith (Bronson 78).
R. Matteson Jr. 2011; 2014]
PART I. ANCIENT BALLADS
I. LADY ISABEL AND THE ELF-KNIGHT (Child, 4)
[Pretty Polly] "Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight," L, Folk-Songs of the North Atlantic States. Words and melody recorded from the singing of Elizabeth A. Smith, Boston, Mass., native of County Down, Ireland.
1. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
She cast him about the middle so small,
She threw him into the salt, salt sea.
2. She mounted on her milk-white steed,
And led the bonny gray,
And she reached her father's lofty tower,
Three hours before it was day.
3. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
"Oh, where have you been, pretty Polly,
So long before it was day?"
4. "Oh, hold your tongue, you prattling bird,
And tell no tales on me,
And your cage shall be of the beaten gold,
Instead of the ivory!"
"Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight" is a great favorite with the folk-singers of Eire.