Pretty Polly- Jack Wallin (NC) 1995 REC
[From "Family Songs and Stories" Smithsonian/Folkways CD, with Doug and Jack Wallin, two of Lee and Berzilla’s sons. The end does not have Willie being drowned.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly - Sung with guitar accompaniment by Jack Wallin (1932-2005) with Jerry Adams on banjo.
1. "Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come take a walk with me,
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come take a walk with me,
And when we get married, some pleasure we'll see."
2. Well now, he led her over the mountains and valleys so deep [2X]
Pretty Polly mistrusted, she started to weep.
3. Well, "Willie little Willie, I'm afraid of your ways [2x]
The way you've been rambling will lead me astray."
4. Well, "Polly, pretty Polly, you've guessed it about right [2X]
I was digging on your grave the best part of last night."
5. They went on a little further, now what did they spy [2X];
A newly made grave and a spade lying by.
6. Well now she fell down before him pleading for her life [2X],
"Let me go home single if I can't be your wife."
7. Well now, "Polly, pretty Polly that can never be [2x],
Your false reputation is troublesome to me."
8. Well, he drew a dagger, all in his right hand [2X],
He stabbed pretty Polly her life's blood did flow;
He jumped on his pony and away he did go.
9. He spied a ship a-sailing down by the seaside [2X],
He boarded that ship and away he did ride.
10. Well now, there's a debt to the devil now Willie's gonna pay[2X],
He murdered Pretty Polly- running away.