Pretty Polly- Ray Hicks (NC) pre1996 Isbell BK
[From the book, Ray Hicks: Master Storyteller of the Blue Ridge by Robert Isbell, 1996. Hicks was the son of Nathan and Rena Hicks and my father met him when he was young. The end is missing. The ballad was known by various family members including "Uncle Monroe."
R. Matteson 2016]
The memory of Alf suddenly prompts Ray himself to sing:
Pretty, pretty Polly
O yander she stands,
Gild ring on her finger
And lily-white hand.
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly,
Come go along with me,
Pretty, pretty Polly
Come along with me.
Sweet William, sweet William,
I'm a-feared of your ways,
I'm a-feared you'll lead
My poor body astray.
Rode on a little farther
And what did she spy?
A new grave being dug
And a spade a-laying by.
She throwed her arms around William
A-pleading to spare her life
Said, I'll go out a-begging
But I won't be your wife.