Pretty Polly- Edna Smith (NC) 1938 Abrams MS
[Partial transcription from Abrams Collection MS; cf. Brown D,
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- MS from Edna Smith on April 18, 1938.
1. There was a handsome lady, in the city of London Town,
There was a handsome lady, in the city of London Town,[1]
. . . .
2. Her name was pretty Polly, oh yonder she stands
Her name was pretty Polly, oh yonder she stands
No[2] rings on her fingers of lily-white hands.
[ see MS online:
http://omeka.library.appstate.edu/files/original/cd94a8cebb63d79c994662f54af654bf.jpg ]
He threw some clods o'er her and started for home,
He threw some clods o'er her and started for home,
Leaving no one with him for the wild birds to mourn.
A ship came a-sailing down by the sea side,
A ship came a-sailing down by the sea side,
He mounted that ship to take him a ride
He sailed all over the ocean, his heart's content,
He sailed all over the ocean, his heart's content,
Till the ship struck and iceberg, and to the bottom it went.
Down to Hell poor Willie did go,
Down to Hell poor Willie did go,
To pay the debt to the Devil, the debt that he owed.
Where is Pretty Polly, she's gone on to rest,
Where is Pretty Polly, she's gone on to rest,
Where is Sweet Willie, don't know-- but I can guess!