Pretty Polly- Mrs. Earl Keaton (TN) 1947 McDowell
[From: Memory Melodies- A Collection of Folk-Songs from Middle Tennessee- McDowell; 1947. This is sung to the melody of The Cuckoo/Wagoner's Lad/Rye Whiskey family of songs. The last stanzas are missing.
R. Matteson 2016]
The following verses are supplied by Mrs. Earl Keaton, and are sung by her to the same tune (Cuckoo- Rye whiskey):
Pretty Polly - Sung by Mrs. Earl Keaton of Middle Tennessee before 1947.
"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, come go along with me."
Before we are married some pleasure to see."
"O Willie, O Willie, I fear from your way,
They say you are going-- will lead me astray."
"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're thinking just right,
I dug a new grave for six hours last night.
She went along, further to see what she could spy,
A new-made grave with the spade lying by.
She throw her arms around him and suffered no fear,
"How could you kill a poor girl who loves you so dear?"