Pretty Polly- H. Burnett (AR) 1960 Max Hunter E
[From: Max Hunter Folk Song Collection; Cat. #0542 (MFH #420), my designation E.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly - As sung by Harrison Burnett, Fayetteville, Arkansas on August 18, 1960
VERSE 1
O, Polly, pretty Polly
Come go 'long with me
O, Polly, pretty Polly
Come go 'long with me
Before we get married
A strange country to see
VERSE 2
He led 'er over hills
An valleys so deep
He led 'er over hills
An valleys so deep
Until this fair damsel
Begin for to weep
VERSE 3
O, Willie, sweet Willie
I fear from your ways
O, Willie, sweet Willie
I fear from your ways
I fear that your leading
My body astray
VERSE 4
O, Polly, pretty Polly
Your guessing just right
O, Polly, pretty Polly
Your guessing just right
I dug on your grave
The best part of last night.
VERSE 5
Go on a little farther
See what you can spy
Go on a little farther
See what you can spy
She spied her grave dug
An' the spade a lyin' by
VERSE 6
She threw 'er arms around 'im
Not sufferin' no fear
She threw 'er arms around 'im
Not sufferin' no fear
How can you kill a poor girl
That loves you, so dear?
VERSE 7
O, Polly, pretty Polly
There's no time to stand
O, Polly, pretty Polly
There's no time to stand
He drew his sharp knife
All in his right hand
VERSE 8
He pierced it through 'er heart
An' the blood it did flow
He pierced it through 'er heart
An' the blood it did flow
An' into the tomb
Her poor body did go
VERSE 9
He threw a little dirt over
An' turned to go home
He threw a little dirt over
An' turned to go home
With nothing behind him
But the birds for to morn
VERSE 10
Come gentlemen an' ladies
I'll bid you adieu
Come gentlemen an' ladies
I'll bid you adieu
My song has now ended
Although it is true