Pretty Polly- Stringbean (KY) pre1962 REC
[From recording by David “Stringbean” Akeman (Youtube). Pretty Polly was one of Stringbean's signature songs. Akeman used to sing and play frailing style for Monroe's Blue Grass Boys from 1943-45. He was born in 1916 in Annville, Kentucky died in TN in 1973.
This version has the rare John Hammond opening stanza (1925 recording) and rather than telling a story (the murder is left out), it's a collection of various stanzas.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- sung by banjoist Stringbean of Kentucky
Banjo
"Oh, when I lived in London, the city [of] Maryland town
When I lived in London, the city [of] Maryland town,
I met with a lady, her beauty has been found."
"Oh, they call her pretty Polly come go along with me,
Polly, pretty Polly come go along with me,
When we get married some pleasure we'll see."
"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you think it'd be unkind?
Polly, Pretty Polly, you think it'd be unkind?
Come sit beside me and tell me your mind."
"My mind is to marry and never to part,
My mind is to marry and never to part,
The first time I saw you, you'd like to broke to my heart."
"Oh where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
Where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
The rings on her fingers, her little white hands."
"Polly, pretty Polly come go along with me,
Polly, pretty Polly come go along with me,
When we get married some pleasure we'll see."