Pretty Polly- Obray Ramsey (NC) 1971 REC White Lightnin'
[Compilation of two recordings: 1) White Lightnin' on Polydor – 2489 027; 1971 Byard Ray (fiddle, guitar), Obray Ramsey (Banjo); 2) Obray Ramsey and Henry Gentry (drums keyboards).
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- Obray Ramsey (banjo) and Henry Gentry (Vocals w/drums keyboards). Added stanzas in parenthesis (4 and 6) from the Byard/Ramsey version. Evidently it's the same text version but stanzas have been omitted or added.
1. I used to be a rounder I've been [all] around this town,
I used to be a rounder I've been [all] around this town,
I've courted Pretty Polly, I've been all around.
[banjo]
2. O where is pretty Polly, O yonder she stands,
O where is pretty Polly, O yonder she stands,
The rings on her fingers and lily white hands[1].
3. O Polly, Pretty Polly come go along with me
O Polly, Pretty Polly come go along with me
Before we get married no[2] pleasure can we see.
4. [He led her over mountains and valleys so deep
He led her over mountains and valleys so deep
At last Pretty Polly began fro to weep.]
5. O Willie, dear Willie I'm scared of your ways
O Willie, dear Willie I'm scared of your ways
I'm scared that you're going to lead me astray.
6. [O Polly pretty Polly your guessing bout right
O Polly pretty Polly your guessing bout right
I dug on your grave the best part of last night.]
7. He pierced her through the heart and the blood did flow,
He pierced her through the heart and the blood did flow,
And into that grave Pretty Polly did go.
8. He threw the dirt around her and turned to go home,
He threw the dirt around her and turned to go home,
And there on that mountain he left her alone[3].
9. He came down that mountain before it got light
He came down that mountain before it got light
He's been on that mountain the whole live-long night.
1. Ramsey also sang in a solo version: with rings on the fingers of her fingers her lily white hands
2. some
3. Bayard's version ends here