Pretty Polly- John Whittaker (UT) 1870 Hubbard
[From: Ballads and Songs from Utah by Lester Hubbard; 1961. His notes follow. This is similar to the short English broadside "Polly's Love" c. 1820 which has rarely been found in North America but was collected in England from 1893 (Broadwood) and into the 20th Century. It's missing he standard opening stanza:
1) In fair Worcester city, and in Worcestershire,
A handsome young damsel she liv’d there;
A handsome young man courted her to be his dear
And he was by trade a ship carpenter.
R. Matteson 2016]
PRETTY POLLY-- The text was dictated by Mrs. Salley A. Hubbard of Salt Lake City, Oct. 7, 1946. She said that the "complete song" was sung by John Whittaker at a Fourth of July celebration in Willard before 1870.
1. They mounted on steeds and they rode through the greenwood;
O'er high hills and hollows and valleys they rode,
Like two doves together till a grave they did see,
A grave newly dug and a spade standing by.
2. She said, "William, come pity me, spare my poor life;
Let me live out my shame if I can't be your wife."
"Polly, oh Polly, there's no time to stand."
And instantly taking his knife in his hand,
3. He pierced her fair breast and the blood it did flow,
And into her grave her young body did throw.
He covered her o'ver and soon hastened on,
Left none but the small birds her state to be mourned.
4. He entered on board ship to sail the seas round,
And not until then was the murderer found.
"There's a murderer on board and he cannot be found;
Our ship stands in mourning and we cannot sail on."
5. Up steps one man and says, "It is not me,"
And up steps another and he said the same.
And up steps young William to stomp and to swear,
"It is not me I will vow and declare."
6. As William was hastening from the captain with speed,
He met his poor Polly, which made his heart bleed.
She ripped him, she stripped him, she tore him in three
Because he had murdered her and her baby.