US & Canada Versions: 1. Gosport Tragedy/Cruel Ship's Carpenter/Pretty Polly
Pretty Polly begging for her life. Painting C2009 by R. Matteson
[The ballad has a long history in North America established by a broadside titled, Gosport Tragedy, Ab, which was printed by John and Thomas Jr. Fleet in Cornhill, Boston between 1776-1805[1]. The Fleet broadside, was probably copied from the Roxburghe broadside, Aa, printed in London between 1720-1750 by John Cluer, who died about 1728, or from a print made by subsequent printers at his office at Bow Church-Yard. A is the first (ballad type 1) of four ballad types (see main headnotes). Additionally A was published as a broadside in New York in 1798 (Printed for the hawkers., 1798 in Early American imprints. no. 33809) along side Bonny Wully. It was also printed by Shaw & Shoemaker in Philadelphia in 1805 as "Ship-carpenter, or, The Gosport tragedy: to which is added Capt. Ward and the Rainbow."
According to Cox[2], " 'The Gosport Tragedy' was printed in this country as a chapbook (at Philadelphia?) in 1816, and again (at Philadelphia) in 1829 (Harvard College Library, 25276, 43, 81). It occurs also in The New American Song Book (Philadelphia, 1817), p. 69. . .". These early versions mentioned by Cox have not been viewed but they seem to be additional versions of A.
A, the English broadside, was either 1) based on the events of 1726 on board the Bedford which was docked at Portsmouth as proposed by David Fowler, 2) based on another murder in that area, or 3) based on an earlier murder ballad which was re-written and set in that area. The HMS Bedford was launched in 1698. Since the Bedford was based at Portsmouth from 1710 to 1740 it's likely the broadside was written during this time.
A second broadside version of The Gosport Tragedy, Ba, was printed by Leonard Deming in Boston dated 1835[3]. The Deming broadside was shorter and had two additional stanzas not found in the Fleet broadside. This is the 2nd Ballad Type. About ten years later, the Deming broadside was reproduced in The Forget-Me-Not Songster (NY) from which several versions (Mackenzie's version from NS; Brown A and B) were presumed to have been learned[4]. The Deming Broadside versions may be easily identified by one of the additional stanzas not found in Fleet/Roxburghe:
23. Whoever you be, if the truth you deny,
When found out, you'll be hung on the yard be high:
But he who confesses, his life we'll not take,
But leave him on the first island we make.
Traditional versions of The Gosport Tragedy are rare in North America and are represented by eleven versions from Canada[5] and nearly the same number from the US.
A third broadside, C, was printed in the UK in the early 1800s[6] usually titled "Polly's Love" or "The Cruel Ship-Carpenter." This is Ballad Type 3. Four versions of "Polly's Love" have been recovered in the US and Canada dating back to 1870[7]. Stanzas unique to "Polly's Love" were collected in Canada mixed in with stanzas of the older broadsides A and B.
A fourth traditional ballad-type, having about six stanzas in common with Gosport, is the popular "Pretty Polly[8]." This shortened version was found in the US as early as 1841[9], but likely dates back to the late 1700s. The ballad became popular in the Appalachian region after the Civil War and was widely collected in the early 1900s by Sharp, Cox, Henry, Brown and others. The full "Pretty Polly" versions have the "standard text" which make up the core of the murder. Cecil Sharp and Olive Campbell alone collected 42 versions in Appalachia between 1916 and 1918[10]. With early country recordings in the1920s and newer recordings by Ralph Stanley and others, "Pretty Polly" remains one of the most popular murder ballads in the United States today.
There are the six stanzas similar to those found in the early broadsides, that I call the "standard text," which make the main body of the Pretty Polly text:
Standard Text Type A Roxburghe:
14. So with kind embraces he parted that night,
She went to meet him in the morning light;
He said, "Dear charmer thou must go with me,
Before we are wedded, a friend to see."
15. He led her through valleys and groves so deep,
At length this maiden began for to weep;
Saying, "William, I fancy thou leadst me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray."
16 He said, "That is true, and none you can save,
For I all this night have been digging a grave."
Poor innocent soul! when she heard him say so,
Her eyes like a fountain began for to flow.
(This next stanza (17) where she begs for her life is standard but the reference to her child is usually missing. The last two lines of 17 are included except for "infant":
O pity [the infant], and spare my life,
Let me go distress'd if I'm not thy wife.")
18. Her hands white as lillies in sorrow she wrung,
Beseeching for mercy, saying, "What have I done
To you my dear William, what makes you severe?
For to murder one that loves you so dear."
19. He said, "Here's no time disputing to stand,"
And instantly taking the knife in his hand;
He pierced her body till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her body did throw.
20. He cover'd her body, then home he did run,
Leaving none but birds her death to mourn;
Standard Text Type B: The Deming Broadside
12) With tender embraces, they parted that night,
And promised to meet the next morning at light
William said — Mary, you must go with me,
Before we are married, our friends for to see.
13) He led her through groves and valleys so deep
At length this young damsel began for to weep
Crying William, I fear you will lead me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
14) He said you've guess'd right all earth can't you save
For the whole of last night I've been digging your grave,
When poor ruined Mary did hear him say so,
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow
15) A grave with a spade lying near she did see,
Which caused her to sigh and weep bitterly;
(Half of 15 and part of 16 are not standard. The text in brackets should not be part of the standard text)
16) Oh, pity [my infant] and spare my poor life,
Let me live full of shame if I can't be your wife,
Oh! take not my life, lest my soul you betray,
[And you to perdition be hurried away].
17) Her hands white as lilies, in sorrow she wrung,
Imploring for mercy, crying what have I done;
To you dearest William, so comely and fair,
Will you murder your true-love that loved you so dear?
18) He said, this is no time disputing to stand,
Then instantly taking a knife in his hand--
He pierced her fair breast, whence the blood it did flow,
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
19) He cover'd the body, and quick hastened home-
Leaving none but the small birds her fate to bemoan:
Traditional Appalachian versions appears similarly[11]:
2. "O Polly, O Polly, Polly," said he,
"Let's take a little walk before married we be."
3. "O William, O William, I don't want to go;
Your people is all against it, and this you will know."
4. He led her over high hills, and hollows so steep,
At length pretty Polly began to weep.
5. "O William, O William, O William," says she,
"I fear your intention is for to murder me."
6. "Polly, O Polly, you have guessed about right;
I was digging your grave the best part of last night."
7. They went on a little farther, and she began to shy;
She saw her grave dug and the spade a-sitting by.
8. She threw her arms around his neck, saying, "I am in no fear;
How can you kill a poor girl that loves you so dear?"
9. "O Polly, O Polly, we have no time to stand."
He drew his revolver, all out in his hand.
10. He shot her through the heart, which caused the blood to flow,
And into her grave her fair body he did throw.
11. He threw her in the grave; straightways he did run,
Left no one to weep but them small birds to mourn.
These are the five core stanzas (although they represent ten stanzas as usually written out for most US versions) which make up the traditional version, my L, found in Appalachia. Although the core stanzas vary, this traditional version has not been found in the UK or in Canada and no print version has been found. The standard Appalachian form is AAB: the first line is repeated and the second line rhymes, much like 12 bar blues form:
2. "O Polly, O Polly, Polly," said he,
"O Polly, O Polly, Polly," said he,
"Let's take a little walk before married we be[12]."
Besides the name change from Molly to Polly, some versions in the US have been modified from the standard text by new stanzas appearing at the beginning and end. One US modification, found in version of E, has an ending where Willie boards a ship that sets sail and the ship sinks-- similar to another popular ballad, The House Carpenter. After the ship sinks in some versions Willie "saw pretty Polly all in a gore of blood." Others have the "debt to the devil" ending stanza. Sometimes a line or two, a phrase, or only several words from the two early broadsides appears in US versions; for example the phrases "died distracted" or "I am too young to get married" are found in some US versions. The last two phrases are sometimes added to standard US versions but are similar to the broadside text. There are only two extant US versions of E that have Polly's ghost with her baby in her arms, Sharp C[13] by Hilliard Smith and the Sharp/Raine book from 1923 with the text provided I assume from tradition by Raine[14].
In the US, "Pretty Polly" has been recorded by a number of early country artists including, John Hammond (1925), Dock Boggs (1927), B.F. Shelton (1927), E.C. Ball (1937) Pete Steele (1938) and The Coon Creek Girls (1938). Other recordings after 1940 include The Sauceman Brothers (1947) and The Stanley Brothers (1950). Ralph Stanley more recently recorded and performed the ballad with Country singer Patty Loveless to popular acclaim and the ballad has become a bluegrass standard.
Pretty Polly is also known as an instrumental fiddle and also an instrumental banjo tune. Alan Lomax and his wife recorded four excellent solo fiddle versions in Kentucky during the mid to late 1930s[15]. There are a number of solo banjo versions including a version by Frank Proffitt.
Of the 161 versions currently in my collection (attached to this page) 3 are print versions, 21 are traditional versions of Gosport (many from Canada), 4 are similar to Polly's Love and at least 6 have Polly's ghost and other elements of Gosport.
Polly's Ghost
A number of versions from North America have the ending with William boarding a ship and Polly's ghost (Sharp A etc.) but only two have Polly returning as a ghost with her baby. William boards a ship and tries to run from his crime and then:
13. All on whilst he was sailing,
The ship she sprang a leak,
And away to the bottom
Sweet William he sank.
14. There he met with pretty Polly,
All in the gores of blood,
In her lily-white arms
An infant of mine[16].
In some versions Polly's return is implied by repeating the first stanza. According to the Jean Ritchie[17]:
We had this verse, which sometimes began the song, and other times ended it (as though it's her ghost seen):
O where's Pretty Polly? O yonder she stands
O where's Pretty Polly: O yonder she stands
With rings on her fingers- her lily white hands.
In another version Polly's ghost calls out to William after he's boarded the ship[18]:
One day he was laying in his cabin asleep,
He thought he heard the voice of Polly so sweet,
Saying, "Rise up false William, rise up and hear,
The voice of your Polly who once loved you dear."
In the four extent versions based on or similar to "Polly's Love," Polly ghost returns at the end and tears William in three, "because he murdered her baby and she." Nearly all (for example, the return of her ghost in Sharp B isn't explicit) of the 21 extant versions of Gosport feature the return of Polly's ghost. In some of the Canadian versions she returns as in "Polly's Love."
Summary
Pretty Polly, represented mainly by the fourth ballad-type, is the most popular murder ballad in the US. The fourth ballad type is similar to parts of the early broadsides but is missing the beginning and the ending and is about 5 stanzas of the 34 stanzas of the Roxburghe broadside (A). A few versions of Pretty Polly have William boarding a ship after the murder and Polly appearing as a ghost (E). The US versions have a number of different opening stanzas with some resembling the broadsides.
The number of recordings and radio broadcasts since 1925 by early country and old-time musicians make it difficult to separate traditional versions from cover versions. The ballad was well-known in Appalachia in the early 1900s and remained popular there despite the gruesome murder and subject matter. The ballad was also popular among the early bluegrass groups of the 1950s and was recorded by Stanley Brothers, Sauceman Brothers, Scruggs and Flatt and was known and performed by Bill Monroe (as well as his former banjo player, Stringbean, who often performed it). Pretty Polly, as known in Appalachia (fourth ballad type) is not found in Canada or the UK. The few versions from New England and some from Canada have not been accessed (published or made available online) and remain in collections (Memorial University Folklore Archives, Flanders, Creighton etc.).
Other textual elements of the older ballad, The Gosport Tragedy, including William dying "distracted" and Polly's ghost are sometimes found. Only about 21 versions[19] of Gosport were collected in North America, about half of that number from Canada. The Gosport versions found in North America have elements of the main broadsides A, B and C. Some Gosport versions have elements from all three broadsides suggesting that broadside B, the Deming Broadside, may have originated in the British Isles.
R. Matteson 2016
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Footnotes:
1. The broadside, designated Ab (see main headnotes), has an estimated date of 1776-1805, as the Bible and Heart in Boston was the sign of T & J Fleet from 1776-1797 and John & Thomas Fleet from 1797-1805. The imprint reads: “Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, Boston.” Ref. Ashley Cataldo, American Antiquarian Society.
2. From: Folk-Songs of the South; John Harrington Cox, 1925. It's possible one of the printings represents B, The Deming broadside.
3. Even though Cox's list of printings has not been examined, Deming is not the first publisher of the text called The Deming Broadside, which is available online at the Library of Congress. The American Antiquarian Society houses an earlier version published in Baltimore between 1810-1819. Although the original source to the Deming text may never be known, traditional versions with text unique to the Deming broadside have been brought to Maritime Canada indicating the source to be a British broadside from the late 1700s which may have disappeared.
4. Mackenzie's text in nearly identical to the Deming/Forget-Me-Not Songster text. Since other ballad texts nearly identical to the Forget-Me-Not Songster have been published by Mackenzie, the Songster would seem to be a likely choice fro the source. The Brown Collection editor comments that Brown A "has the appearance of having been copied from print" however, after studying Webb's version it is clear that it was memorized from print and partially forgotten. Brown B was taken from Brown A by James York and he tried to improve the poorly remembered spots.
5. Of the eleven versions Mackenzie's Nova Scotia text seems to be the only one learned directly from print. One Canada version is a hybrid (two different ballads combined) based on the broadside "Polly's Love." The Maine version by Carrie Grover was originally learned in Nova Scotia in the late 1800s.
6. The early 1800s date was given by Steve Roud. The Pitts broadside, "Polly Love," is dated c. 1820.
7. In Ballads and Songs from Utah by Lester Hubbard (1961), Mrs. Salley A. Hubbard said the "complete song" was sung by John Whittaker at a Fourth of July celebration in Willard before 1870.
8. The name "Pretty Polly" is found in a number of different songs and ballads including Child No. 4. The original name of the murdered girl in A was Molly and in B, Mary. Some versions Appalachian versions still keep the name Molly.
9. See: The Pioneer Songster by John Thompson
10. Five versions from the Sharp/Campbell collection pre-date Sharp's visit in 1916. They were collected by Pettit, Rawn, and Dame (Campbell's sister) and given to Campbell. Sharp revisited Hilliard Smith in 1917, an early informant of Pettit. Many of the versions come from Sharp's MSS and were never published in EFSSA.
11. Core stanzas from Hilliard Smith, Kentucky by 1907.
12. Smith's version with repeat as sung at Hindman School.
13. this version was first published in the Journal of American Folk-Lore, 1907 by Kittredge; as received from Pettit. Smith's version was also collected by Josiah Combs (his C version, no date given but before 1924) who attended Hindman Settlement School. Pettit evidently edited Smith's version slightly at Hindman where it was sung by a Hindman music teacher, Miss Catherine Sutherland, and sent to John Harrington Cox on December 20, 1925. Cox published it in 1939 in his "Mainly from West Virginia" book.
14. James Watt Raine (1869- 1949) was born in Scotland and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 12 years old. He attended Oberlin College (Ohio) and Union Seminary (New York) and was an ordained minister, holding pastorates in Ohio and New York before coming to Berea. Raine's interest in documenting regional culture extended beyond music. Raine obtained most of his ballads from students and faculty at Berea, where he was a teacher. Raine did not name an informant for this text.
15. Lomax recorded four solo fiddle version by fiddlers such as Luther Strong and Boyd Asher.
16. 1907 version sung by Hilliard Smith in Kentucky as collected by Pettit.
17. Quoted from the Mudcat Forum.
18. From Sharp's MS, as sung by Hannah Mitchell, of Burnsville, N. Carolina on 29 Sept., 1918.
19. One or two versions from New England or Canada may surface in the near future.
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CONTENTS: (To access texts click on blue highlighted title below or on the title attached to this page on left hand column)
1) Gosport Tragedy- Fleet Broadside (MA) c.1776-- a broadside, Ab, printed by brothers John and Thomas Jr. Fleet between 1776-1805 which was "Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, Boston." There are some very minor differences between this broadside and the 1720-1750 broadside published by Roxburghe, Aa.
2) The Gosport Tragedy- Deming broadside (MA) 1835-- a broadside that was "Sold Wholesale and Retail by Leonard Deming, No. 1, Market Square, corner of Merchant's Row, Boston." It is dated c. 1835 and a copy is available at the Library of Congress online. The Deming broadside (Ba) is significantly shorter at 27 stanzas to the 34 stanzas of the approximately 100 year earlier Roxburghe broadside (Aa).
3) Gosport Tragedy: Forget-Me-Not Songster (NY) 1844-- From The Forget-Me not Songster printed in New York by Nafis & Cornish c. 1844. This is a reprint of the Deming broadside.
4) Pretty Polly- Douglas MS (NY) c.1845 Thompson-- Fragment from A Pioneer Songster- Texts from Stevens-Douglass MS 1841-1856 by Thompson- 1958. I've guesstimated the date as 1845.
5) Pretty Polly- Jarrell (WV) 1858 Cox II, B -- From: Traditional Ballads & Folk Songs Mainly from West Virginia- John Harrington Cox- 1939 Edited by George Herzog and Herbert Halpert 1939 and George Boswell, 1964. The informant reports that his father said this ballad is about a murder around the 1850s in nearby Kentucky.
6) Pretty Polly- John Whittaker (UT) 1870 Hubbard
7) Pretty Polly- Nancy Brewster (IN) 1885 Brewster B
8) Gosport Tragedy- Carrie Grover (NS-ME) 1890s
Pretty Polly- Flora McDowell (TN) c.1899 McDowell
Sweet William- (KY) 1907 JAF Pettit/Kittredge B
Pretty Polly- H. Smith (KY) 1907 Pettit/Sharp C
Pretty Polly- Louisa Hensley (KY) 1908 Campbell MS
Little Molly- Westmoreland (GA) 1910 Campbell MS
Pretty Polly- Isabel Rawn (TN) 1914 Campbell MS
Pretty Mollie- Roxy Gay (GA) 1914 Rawn/Campbell
Pretty Molly- Lillie Perry (NC) 1915 Brown E
Come, Pretty Polly- E. Jarrell (WV) 1916 Cox A
Pretty Polly- (KY) 1916 Wyman-Brockway
Pretty Polly- Rice (NC) 1916 Sharp A
Cruel Ship's Carpenter- Stockton (TN) 1916 Sharp B
Pretty Polly- W. R. Shelton (NC) 1916 Sharp D
Cruel Ship's Carpenter- Buckner (NC) 1916 Sharp E
Pretty Polly- Alice Sloan (KY) 1917 Sharp F
Pretty Polly- Fitzhugh Droghon (KY) 1917 Sharp G
Pretty Polly- Mayme Baker (KY) 1917 Sharp H
Pretty Polly- Hylton and Moseley (KY) 1917 Sharp I
Pretty Polly- Maud Kilburn (KY) 1917 Sharp J
Pretty Polly- Vestie Thompson (KY) 1917 Sharp K
Fair Polly- Polly Patrick (KY) 1917 Sharp L
Pretty Polly- Jim Samples (KY) 1917 Sharp M
Pretty Polly- Sophie Ann Hensley (KY) 1917 Sharp N
Pretty Polly- Nanny Smith (KY) 1917 Sharp O
Pretty Polly- Diana Sizemore (KY) 1917 Sharp P
Young Lady in London- Hounchell (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Young Lady in London- Melton (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Pretty Polly- Oneida students (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Pretty Polly- Cora Spicer (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Young Lady in London- Short (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Pretty Polly- Stella South (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Pretty Polly- Mrs. Wilson (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Cruel Ship's Carpenter- Fitzgerald(NC)1918 Sharp Q
Cruel Ship's Carpenter- Donald (NC) 1918 Sharp R
Pretty Little Polly- N. Richards (VA) 1918 Sharp S
Pretty Polly- Frances Richards (VA) 1918 Sharp T
Cruel Ship's Carpenter- Freeman (NC) 1918 Sharp U
In Gosport of Late- Alex Coffey (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
A Ship Carpenter- H. Mitchell (NC) 1918 Sharp MS
One Pretty May Morning- Charlton(WV)1918 Sharp MS
A Ship Carpenter- E. Mitchell (NC) 1918 Sharp MS
O Molly- Bob Bradley (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
Pretty Polly- Sam Rathbone (NC) 1918 Sharp MS
Pretty Little Polly- Sally Jones (VA)1918 Sharp MS
O Willie- Reba Dooley (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
Pretty Polly- Dorah Seagle (NC) 1918 Sharp MS
Polly and Sweet William- McKinney (WV) 1919 Cox B
Pretty Polly- Staton (TN) 1919 Boswell
Gaspard Tragedy- M. Curry (NS) 1919 Mackenzie
Pretty Polly- Raymond Sanders (MO) 1920 Parler C
Pretty Polly- (KY) pre1920 Wyman-Brockway II
Gosport Tragedy- Pearl Webb (NC) 1921 Brown A
Polly- Pearle Webb (NC) c. 1922 Brown C
Pretty Polly- (KY) 1923 Sharp and Raine BK
Pretty Polly- G. Gadsey (KY) 1925 Henry A
Young Beeham- Cunningham (WV) pre1925 Cox C
Purty Polly- John Hammond (KY) 1925 REC
Pretty Polly- C. Sutherland (KY) 1925 Cox II, A
Pretty Polly- Dock Boggs (VA) 1927 Brunswick REC
Pretty Polly- B. F. Shelton (KY) 1927 Victor REC
Pretty Polly- Hannah Garren (MO) 1927 Randolph A
Come, Polly- Blanche E. Sisson (CA) 1928 Cox II C
Sally Monroe- Mrs. Hayes (NL) 1929 Greenleaf
Little Mollie- Varnell/Harmon (GA-TN) 1929 Henry B
Pretty Polly- E. Waddell (MO) 1929 Randolph B
Gosport Tragedy- J. Hincock (NS) 1929 Karpeles
Ship's Carpenter- LaRena Clark (ON) c.1930 Fowke
Pretty Polly- M. Combs (KY) 1931 Henry C
Pretty Polly- P. J. Moses (KY) 1931 Fuson
Pretty Polly- Dellie Norton (NC) pre1932 Holt REC
The Ship's Carpenter- Young (NS) 1933 Creighton A
Pretty Polly- (TN-VA) 1934 Cambiaire BK
Ship's Carpenter- Huntoon (MO) 1934 Randolph C
Pretty Polly- Aunt Molly Jackson (KY) 1935 Lomax
Pretty Polly- (KY) 1935 Federal Music Project BK
Pretty Polly- Elmo Davis (IN) pre1935 Brewster A
Cruel Ship's Carpenter- Pearl Nye (OH) 1937 Lomax
Pretty Polly- Hulda Robinson (KY) 1937 Lomax REC
Pretty Polly- E. C. Ball (VA) 1937 Lomax REC
Pretty Polly- Faye Aldridge (NC) 1937 Abrams MS
The Ship's Carpenter- Duncan (NS) 1937 Creighton D
Pretty Polly- Jim Howard (KY) 1937 Lomax REC
Pretty Polly- Chad Caldwell (KY) 1937 REC Lomax
Pretty Polly- Lilian Napier (KY) 1937 REC Lomax
Pretty Polly- Coon Creek Girls (KY) 1938 REC
Pretty Polly- Pete Steele (OH) 1938 Lomax REC
Pretty Polly- Fred Carriere (MI) 1938 Lomax REC
Pretty Polly- Edna Smith (NC) 1938 Abrams MS
Gosport Tragedy- James York (NC) 1939 Brown B
Pretty Polly- Mrs. J. Church (NC) 1939 Brown 4E1
Pretty Polly- (KY) 1939 Combs and Mixson BK
Pretty Polly- James York (NC) c.1940 Abrams REC
Pretty Molly- Mrs. James York (NC) 1940 Brown 4B
Pretty Polly- Faye Watson (NC) c.1940 Abrams REC
Pretty Polly- Mrs. York (NC) 1940 Abrams REC
Pretty Molly- Pauline Ramsay (CA) 1941 Todd/Sonkin
Pretty Polly- Gertrude Allen (NC) pre1943 Brown D
Pretty Polly- Uncle Pat Frye (NC) 1944 Abrams REC
Pretty Molly- Wisenhunt (TN-OK) c.1945 Moores
Pretty Polly- Sauceman Brothers (TN) 1947 REC
Pretty Polly- Mrs. Earl Keaton (TN) 1947 McDowell
The Ship's Carpenter- Kenny (NL) 1950 Creighton B
Molly- Mrs. Charlie Noel (NC) 1950 Karpeles REC
The Ship Carpenter- Parrish (FL) pre1950 Morris
Pretty Polly- Stanley Brothers (VA) 1950 REC
Ship's Carpenter- Duplessis (NB) 1950 Manny/Wilson
Pretty Polly- (NL) 1951 MacEdward Leach REC
Pretty Polly- Din Dobbin (NL) 1951 Leach
Purty Polly- Dave Couch (KY) 1952 Roberts
Pretty Polly- W.P. Detherow (AR) 1952 Wolf Coll.
Pretty Polly- Burl Ives (IN) 1953 Burl Ives BK
Pretty Polly - Tommy Jarrell (NC) c.1955 BK
Pretty Polly- Pleaz Mobley (KY) c. 1956 REC Thomas
Pretty Polly- S. L. Bunner (WV) 1957 E. Smith
Molly Girl- Mrs. Newton (MO) 1958 Max Hunter F
Pretty Polly- Leander Witt (AR) 1958 Parler F
Molly, Pretty Molly- Pearl Brewer (AR) 1958 Parler
Pretty Polly- Ruby Abel (AR) 1958 Parler D
Pretty Polly- Banjo Bill Cornett (KY) 1959 Cohen
Pretty Molly- Fran Majors (KS) 1959 Max Hunter A
Pretty Polly- Lee Sexton (KY) 1959 Cohen REC
Pretty Polly- H. Burnett (AR) 1960 Max Hunter E
Ship's Carpenter- Joshua Osborne (NL) 1960 Peacock
Pretty Polly- W. H. Burnett (AR) 1960 Parler E
Pretty Polly- Oleida Martin (KY) 1961 Roberts
Pretty Polly- Stringbean (KY) pre1962 REC
The Ship's Carpenter- Spencer (ON) 1962 Fowke
Pretty Polly- Presnell (NC) pre1963 Burton/Manning
Pretty Molly- Mrs. Lane (AR) 1963 Wolf Collection
Pretty Polly- Paul Wiley (KY-WA) pre1964 REC
Pretty Polly- Frank Bode (NC) 1964 REC
Pretty Polly- Mrs. Riggins (AR) 1964 Parler B
Pretty Polly- Mrs. Vaughan (TN) c. 1964 Wolf Coll.
Pretty Polly- Tab Ward (NC) pre1966 Burton/Manning
Pretty Polly- Ollie Gilbert (AR) 1969 Max Hunter B
Pretty Polly- Sharon Redding (AR) 1969 Max Hunter
Pretty Polly- Sara Jo Bell (AR) 1969 Max Hunter D
Pretty Polly- Raymond Pennington (NC) 1970 REC
Gospels of Libby- (MD) 1970 George G. Carey
Pretty Polly- Obray Ramsey (NC) 1971 REC
Pretty Polly- Phoebe Parsons (WV) 1972 Bush III
Pretty Polly- Alma Price (KY) 1973 Boswell B
Pretty Polly- Francis Gillum (KY) Meade 1974 REC
Pretty Polly- Peachie Howard (KY) 1977 REC
Pretty Polly- Addie Graham (KY) 1977 REC
Pretty Polly- Sparky Rucker (TN) 1981 REC
Pretty Polly- Jack Wallin (NC) 1995 REC
Pretty Polly- Ray Hicks (NC) pre1996 Isbell BK
Pretty Polly- Dirk Powell (KY) pre1996 REC
O Polly- Clint Keller (US) 2001 Mudcat Forum
Little Molly- Mary (US) 2001 Mudcat Forum
Pretty Polly- Bobby McMillon (NC) 2003 BK
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Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at VWML) (CJS1/11/197)
Pretty Polly
First Line: Sweet William, Sweet William, you are leading me astray
Performer:
Date: Apr 1916
Place: USA
Collector: Campbell, Olive Dame-- Pettit, Miss
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This is a standard Kentucky version from Cari Norris who learned it from her grandmother Lily Mae Ledford. Here's the version on youtube with images of my painting- Cari played banjo and I played guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV8fnwYm58I
Lily Mae also recorded a version with The Coon Creek Girls.
Pretty Polly- learned from Lily Mae Ledford by her granddaughter Cary Norris. The banjo is Lily Mae's from the 1930s.
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I courted Pretty Polly I've been all around.
Where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
Where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
(Gold) Diamonds on her finger and her lily white hands
Polly, Pretty Polly come along with me, [bis.]
Before we get married some pleasure to see.
He lead her over hills and valleys so deep,
Then Pretty Polly, she began to weep.
Willie, oh Willie I'm afraid of your ways
I'm afraid you're going to lead me astray.
Polly, oh Polly your guess is about right,
I dug on your grave the biggest part of last night,
She went a little further and what did she spy,
A new dug grave with a spade lying by.
She threw her arms around him and begged for her life,
Deep into her bosom he plunged the fatal knife.
She fell to the ground and the blood it did flow,
Then into her grave Pretty Polly did go.
He threw the dirt around her and turned to go home,
No one around but the birds to weep and mourn.
A debt to the devil Willie must pay,
For killing Pretty Polly and running away.
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Notable Artists Who Have Performed "Pretty Polly"
Ralph Stanley
David "Stringbean" Akeman
Estil C. Ball
Pete Seeger
Dock Boggs
The Byrds
Judy Collins
Current 93
Sandy Denny
Davey Graham
Kristin Hersh
The Red Fox Chasers
Burl Ives
Bert Jansch
QueenAdreena
The Sadies
Lee Sexton
B. F. Shelton
The String Cheese Incident
Yonder Mountain String Band
______________________________________
Gosport Tragedy: Carrie Grover- of Gorham, Maine. "A Heritage of Songs" 1973. Carrie Spinney was born in 1879 in Black River, Nova Scotia. Carrie Grover in Nova Scotia into a family that had brought a considerable number of British ballads.
Spelling of "ere" is same as in the Deming broadside/ Forget-Me not songster. Cf Brown A and B; Mackenzie.
In Gosport of late, a young damsel did dwell
For wit and for beauty, few could her excel
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship's carpenter.
He said, "Dearest Mary, if you will agree,
And give your consent dear for to marry me;
Your love, dear, can cure me of sorrow and care,
Consent then to wed with a ship carpenter."
With blushes as charming as roses in bloom,
She said, 'Deearest william, to wed i'm too young;
For young men are fickle, I see very plain;
If a maid is kind, her they quickly disdain."
"My charming Mary, how can you say so?
Your beauty is the haven to which I would go,
And if I find channel when I chance for to steer,
I there will cast anchor and stay with my dear."
It was all in vain that she strove to deny,
For he, by his cunning, soon made her comply;
And by his base deception he did her betray,
And in sin's hellish path he did lead her astray.
Now when this[1] young damsel with child she did prove,
She soon sent the tidings to her faithless love,
He swore by the heavens that he would prove true,
And said "I will marry no damsel but you."
At length these sad tidings she came for to hear,
His ship is a-sailing, for sea he must steer,
Which pained this poor damsel and wounded her heart
To think with her true love so soon she must part.
She said, "Dearest Willie 'ere you go to sea,
Remember the vows you have made unto me,
If you go and leave me, I never can find rest,
Oh, how can you leave me with sorrow oppressed?
With tender embraces he to her did say,
I'll marry my true love 'ere I go to sea;
And on the morrow my love I can ride down,
The ring I can buy our fond union to crown."
With tender embraces they parted the night,
And promised to meet the next morning at light;
William said, "Dearest Mary you must now go with me,
Before we are married, our friends for to see.
He led her o'er hills and through hollows so deep,
Till at length this fair damsel began for to weep;
"Oh Willie, I fear you have led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray."
He said, "You've guessed right, for no power can you save,
For 'twas only last night I was digging your grave."
When poor wretched Mary did hear him say so,
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.
Then down on her knees Mary to him did say,
"Oh take not my life lest my soul you betray.
Oh pity my infant, and spare my poor life;
Let me live full of shame if I can't be your wife."
"Oh there is no time thus disputing to stand,"
And taking his sharp cruel knife in his hand;
He pierced her fair breast whence the blood it did flow,
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
He covered her body and quick hastened home,
And left nothing but the small birds her fate for to mourn.
He returned to the ship without any delay,
And set sail for Plymouth to plow the salt sea.
One night to the captain this fair maid did appear
And she in her arms held an infant most dear.
"Oh help me, oh help me," she to him did say.
Then to his amazement she vanished away.
The captain then summoned his jovial ship's crew
And said, "My brave fellows, I fear some of you
Have murdered some damsel ere you came away
Whose injured ghost haunts you all on the salt sea."
Then poor, frightened Willie he fell on his knees
The blood in his veins seemed with horror to freeze.
It's "Oh cruel monster, and what have I done?
God help me, I fear my poor soul is undone.
Oh poor, injured Mary, your forgiveness I crave,
For soon must I follow you down to the grave."
No one but this poor wretch beheld the sad sight,
And, raving distracted, he died the next night.
1.
________________________________
[Rare US version pf the broadside "Polly's Love" from AFC 1939/007: AFS 02426 A]
Pretty Polly - Sung by Fred Carriere, (1875-1954) of Champion, MI, on October 10, 1938, recorded by Alan Lomax, melody Sweet Betsy from Pike.
It was in old western [city], in old Westernshore
There lived a young damsel so handsome and fair
She was courted by a young man who called her his dear
And was know by his trade as a ship's carpenter
The king wanted seamen to go about sea
What caused his young damsel to sob and to say,
"Oh William, oh William don't you go on sea,
For don't you remember what you told to me."
Early in the morning she thought it was day
He called upon her and those words he did say,
"Come Polly come Polly, come along with me,
Before we get married our friends for to see."
He lead her through mountains and valleys so deep,
What caused this young damsel to sob and to weep,
She sobbed and she wept those words she did say,
"I'm afraid to my heart you have led me astray."
" 'Tis true 'tis true," young William did say,
"For many long nights I've been digging your grave,"
When she saw her grave open and a spade lying by,
She wrung her poor hands and most bitterly cried,
"Oh pardon, oh pardon," pretty Polly did say,
I live no longer than to become your wife,
I'll sail this world 'round and set you quite free
If you only will pardon my sweet babe and me."
"No pardon, no pardon, there is no time to stand,
And for these times he drew a knife to hand,
He pierced her through the heart till her life blood did flow,
And into her grave her sweet body did throw.
He covered her over so snug and secure,
So no one would find her he thought he'd made sure;
He jumped up on board ship to sail this world round,
Before this young murder would ever be found.
He had not sailed for all but a day
Till the captain came up and these words he did say,
There's a murder on deck boys and the deed has been done
And the ship must be haunted and cannot sail on.
Up stepped a sailor who says it's not me
Up stepped another and [the] same they did say,
Up stepped young William who stamped till he swore,
And he said it's not me I vow and declare.
As he was returning from the captain with speed
He met pretty Polly which made his heart bleed
She ripped him and tore him, she ripped him in three,
And this is for the murder of my sweet babe and me.
___________________
[This is clearly another song, the opening stanza is very similar]
Pretty Polly as my M.M. Springfield 1934 learned in 1890s Legman-Randolph
PRETTY POLLY (Variant of "Snoring Maid")- Sung by Mrs. M.M. of Springfield MO Aug. 27, 1938. She learned the song in the 1890's.
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly
Oh won't you come to me?
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly
Oh won't you come to me?
Oh no, my young man,
I'm afraid you'll undo me
Just lie your leg over me, do!
Her drawers they was tied
An' he couldn't undo them
Her drawers they was tied
An' he couldn't undo them
She snored and cried,
Just take your knife to them
Just lie your leg over me, do!
An' then they began,
Like lightnin' an' thunder
An' then they began,
Like lightnin' an' thunder
On the green green grass,
Pretty Polly layin' under.
Just lie your leg over me, do!
In about nine months
Polly went to weepin',
In about nine months
Polly went to weepin',
An' then she remembered
That crawlin' an' creepin'
Just lie your leg over me, do!
THE SNORING MAID- Collected from Mr. C. L. Walnut, in Shade, Missouri March 10, 1941. When he first heard it in 1899 people called it "The Snoring Maid."
I was out last night a-crawlin' and a-creepin'
I was out last night a-crawlin' and a-creepin'
I was out last night a-crawlin' and a-creepin'
And I spied a fair Maiden a-snorin' and a-sleepin'
Just lay your leg over me, do.
__________________________________
[From Cox II, 1939 the notes tell of a similar murder back in the 1850s in West Virginia/Kentucky. The text has been attached to a different song.]
----------
17B - PRETTY POLLY
(Polly's Love or The Cruel Ship Carpenter)
Contributed by Mr. J. M. Jarrell, Kichsville, Wayne County, September 29, 1926, who writes "This song was composed about Polly Aldridge, who was a native of West Virginia. She was killed during the childhood days of my father, or possibly a few years before his birth. He is now seventy-six years old and sang this song during his early boyhood days. She was murdered by William Chappen, who at first tried to sware the crime off on the girl's brother, George Aldridge, but his efforts were futile and he was tried in what ls now Martin County, Kentuoky, and put to death. He confessed, after he was convicted, of taking the girl from West Virginia to a Little Creek called Buck Creek, near Fairfield, Kentucky, and killing her, then splitting her abdomen open, filling her full of rooks, and putting her in Sug River. She was trailed by strings she tore off of her dress and threw along the path she was forced to go."
1. One morning, one morning, one morning in May,
As the wind blow northeast from the sea,
The hillside was covered with pretty girls all round,
Up steps a young man taking one by the hand,
Saying, "Polly, O Polly, O Polly," says he,
"I have come for to grieve and for you to marry me."
2. "Willie, O Willie, O Willie," says she,
"I'm too little, too young to be married to thee."
He took her by the hand saying, "There is one more plan."
He led her over valleys and mountains so high
He led her a little farther and she began to spy
A newly dug grave and the spade standing by.
3. She threw her arms around him and she began to cry,
Saying, "Willie, O Willie, O Willie," says she,
"How could you kill this poor girl who loves you so well as I?"
He pulled out her breast as white as any snow;
The tears from her eyes like the fountain did flow;
He pulled out his knive and the blood began to flow.
4. To the bottom of the grave her poor body did go,
There's as handsome a woman as over the sun shone on
The ocean, the ocean, the ocean is wide,
He swore by his maker he'd sail the other side
He had not been traveling but three weeks
Willie was arrested and to the gallows did go.
__________________________
The folksongs of Virginia: a checklist of the WPA
Pretty Polly or Cruel Ship Carpenter (R). LC. Austin Harmon, Maryville.
Pretty Polly (text). Perry 146. Mrs. Gracie Harrison, Carter County.
Pretty Polly (text). Perry I96. Carl Smith, Carter County.
PRETTY MOLLY. Sung by Mrs. Paulino Parsons. Luttreli, Term., Herbert Halpert, 1939. 2935 Al
[PRETTY MOLLY-0. Sung by Mrs. G, A. Griffin. Newberry, Fla., John A. Lomax, 1937. 955 Al]
PRETTY POLLY. Played by Bev Bailey on fiddle. Hazard. Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 1536 B3
PRETTY POLLY, Played by Boyd Asher on fiddle. Myden, Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 1523 B2
PRETTY POLLY. Played by Lee Skeons on fiddle. Wooten, Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 1466 Al & A2
PRETTY POLLY. Played by Luther Strong on fiddle. Hazard, Ky., Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 1538 Al
PRETTY POLLY. Played by M. Asher on banjo. Hyden, Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 1519 Al
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Austin Harmon. Maryville, Term., Herbert Halpert, 1939. 2830 Bl
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Austin Harmon with banjo. Maryville, Term., Herbert Halpert, 1939. 2806 B2
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Ben Rice. Springfield, Mo., Sidney Robertson. 1937. 3223 Bl
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by group of students. Pine Mountain settlement school, Pine Mountain, Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937.
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Harry Lee (Chad) Gullett, with guitar by- Janes Williams and fiddle by E. W. Caldwell. Ashland, Ky. John A. Lomax, 1937. 1022 Bl .
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Hazel K. Thornton. Gainsville, Fla., Alton C. Morris, 1937. 980 Bl
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Horton Barker. Near Chilhowie, Va., Herbert Halpert, 1939. 2338 B2
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Huldy Roberts. Gooserock, Clay co., Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 14-83 3
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by J. E. Riley. High Springs, Fla., Alton C. Morris, 1937. 975 B2
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Lilian Napier. Pine Mountain settlement school, Pine Mountain., Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 1409 B1
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by May Kennedy McCord , Springfield, Mo., Sidney Robertson, 1936. 3216 B2 & B3
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Mrs. E. C. Ball. Galax, Va., John A. and Bess Lomax, 1937. 1346 Bl & B3
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Mrs. A. M. Harris. Pine Mountain, Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. HI 5 Al
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Mrs. Eliza Pace. Hyden, Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 1-445 B
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Mrs. Goldie Hamilton. Hamiltontovvn, near Wise, Va., Herbert Halpert, 1939. 2329 A3
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Mrs. M. A. Harris. Pine Mountain, Ky. , Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 14-15 A2
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Mrs. Ollie Womble. Banner, Miss., Herbert Halpert, 1939- 3031 B2
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Mrs. Sarah Ison, Near Norton, Va., Herbert Halpert, 1939. 2811 A
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Nathan Hicks. Rominger, N. C, Herbert Halpert, 1939. ' 2856 A3
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Nora Bagley. Pine Mountain settlement school, Pine Mountain, Ky., Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. H10 B
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Pine Mountain octet. Pine Mountain, Ky., Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937. 14.11 B3
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Walter Caldwell. American folk song festival, Ashland, Ky. , Jean Thomas, 1934 • 294 A
PRETTY POLLY AND* SWEET WILLIAM. Sung by Finley Adams. Dunham, Ky. ,
----------------------
Little Toby Walker’s recording: “Willie, oh Willie, I fear for your ways / I fear that your rambling has led you astray.”
----------------
The Gosport Tragedy: Story of a Ballad, by David Fowler. Published in The Southern Folklore Quarterly volume 43, issues 3 & 4, 1979 (University of Florida).
-----------------
IN DUBLIN'S FAIR CITY PRETTY POLLY DID DWELL.
Sung by Mrs. Margaret Sullivan. Springfield, Vt., Alan Lomax and Helen
Hartness Flanders, 1939- 3747 B01
Sung by Mrs. Margaret Sullivan. (statement of responsibility)
- With dialogue by Mrs. Margaret Sullivan and Alan Lomax.
- AFS 03747 B01 (AFS Number)
- 3747 (afsNum)
---------------
Digital appalachia
Folk song sung by Mary Lozier of Greenup County, Kentucky and recorded by Barbara Kunkle 7-29-73.
---------
PRETTY POLLY (from The Dillards on their "Live... Almost!!!" album)
Willie lived in London; a city, millin' town
Willie lived in London; a city, millin' town
I met a beautiful lady, her beauty'd never been found
They called her "Pretty Polly, come go along with me
Polly, Pretty Polly, come go along with me
Before we get married, some place you will see"
"Willie, oh Willie, I'm 'fraid of your ways
Willie, oh Willie, I'm 'fraid of your ways
The way you've been ramblin', you'll lead me astray"
They went up on the mountain, and what did they spy
They went up on the mountain, and what did they spy
A newly-dug grave and a spade lyin' by
"Polly, Pretty Polly, your guess is 'bout right
Polly, Pretty Polly, your guess is 'bout right
I dug on your grave in the heart of last night"
He stabbed 'er through her heart and her heart's blood did flow
He stabbed 'er through her heart and her heart's blood did flow
And into her grave Pretty Polly did go
He threw a little dirt over her and turned to go home
He threw a little dirt over her and turned to go home
Leave nothing behind but the wild birds to roam
Pretty Polly, Polly, Pretty Polly
-----------
Huntington-Whalemen, pp. 129-131, "The Ship Carpenter" (1 text, long but broken off just before the murder, 1 tune)
Frank Bode, "Pretty Polly" (on FBode1)
Cranford & Thompson, "Pretty Polly" (Melotone 45092, 1935)
Jean Ritchie, "Pretty Polly" (on RitchieWatson1, RitchieWatsonCD1)
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Raymond Stanley (banjo). Knoxville, TN, July 1937. Kirklands REC-- Murfreesboro: Tennessee Folklore Society, 1984; Publisher Number: TFS-106 Tennessee Folklore Society; "Newly discovered field recordings from Tennessee and North Carolina, 1937-39"-- Recorded by Edwin C. and Mary Kirkland.
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Jack Moore (guitar). Knoxville, TN, August 1937.
-----------------------
Broadside reprinted in Ashton, Real Sailor Songs (1891) No.86A
------------
Source: Union Songster
------------------
Library of Congress AAFS recording 2912 A3
Performer: Harmon, Sam
Date: 1939
Place: USA : Tennessee : Maryville
Collector: Halpert, Herbert
----------------
Oh down in
Source: Robert W. Gordon Collection (American Folklife Center, LOC) Cylinder 5 item CAL 9
Performer:
Date: 1920s
Place: USA : California
Collector: Gordon, Robert W.
Roud No: 000
Subjects: He to his trade was a ship carpenter
-------------------------------
Midwest Folklore - Volume 1 - Page 115; 1951 -
In his introduction to the "Pretty Polly" recorded in the Library of Congress Archives of American Folk Song, Alan Lomax noted that the ballad is probably derived from the broadside, "The Wexford Murder." Further tying the ballads together
-----------------
Kemppinen lists one version of "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter ,"
Frank Luther pretty polly Listen to the wind
Hobart smith solo fiddle version
------------------
Kentucky Folklore Record - Volume 19 - Page 88
1973 - Snippet view - More editions
Oh it's Polly, pretty Polly, over yonder she stands, Polly, pretty Polly, over yonder she stands. Gold rings on her fingers, her lily white hands "Oh if Polly, pretty Polly 'd come and go along with me; Polly, pretty Polly, come and go along with me.
----------------
1) Type Aa, the Roxburghe broadside printed between 1720 (British Library) and 1750 (Roxburghe- Ebsworth) by the printer John Cluer (before 1727), or , Elizabeth Cluer (from 1727 when John Cluer died to 1736 when William Dicey, her brother took over) or William Dicey (from 1736 to 1750)
2) Type Ba, The Deming Broadside printed circa 1835 in Boston by the printer Leonard Deming. In some cases the ballad may be associated to both broadsides or a third broadside called,
3) Type Ca, known as "Polly's Love" printed c. 1820 in the British Isles.
These types will be found at the end of each stanza in brackets [type ]
"Pretty Polly"- as performed by Din Dobbin of St. Vincent's, NL, 1951
(Beginning of song missing)
_________ before we get married our friends to go see [standard]
He led her through roads and through valleys so neat
Which caused pretty Polly to sigh and to weep
Sayin' Willie dear Willie you lead me astray
Perhaps my poor innocent life to betray [type Ca]
It's true yes true it's true what you say
For this whole long night l have been digging a grave
She walked straight along til her grave she did spy
Which caused Pretty Polly to weep and to cry [type Ca]
Oh pardon please pardon oh pardon she cried
For l will not covet for to be your bride
I'll roam this wide world o'er for to set you free
If you only will pardon this baby and me [type Ca]
No pardon no pardon no time for to stand
He instantly taking a knife in his hand
He pierced her dear breast while her heart's blood did flow
Which caused him to that cold grave her body he threw [type Ca]
He covered her over well safe and so sound
Not thinking this murder would ever be found [type Ca]
On board of the Bedford he entered straightway
His lofty ship lay in Portsmouth bound out on the sea [type Aa]
Charlie Stewart was our bosun a seaman so bold
One night it was late he walked aft to the hold
When a beautiful damsel to him did appear
And she bore in her arms a baby most dear [type Aa]
He bein' merry in liquor he thought to embrace
Wit' transports of joy which he held in his face
She frew a one side and then vanished away
He made haste to our Captain he made no delay [type Ba]
Our Captain soon summonsed our jolly ships crew
And said my dear sailors I fear one of you
Have murdered some fair one before ye came 'way
And now she is haunting us here on the sea [type Ba]
Then up speaks young Willie I'm sure it ain't me
And up speaks another I'm sure it ain't me
And up speaks another indeed it ain't me
Till discourse it went through the whole ship's company [type Ca]
Whoever it may be it's the truth he'll deny
I'll hang him out here on the yardarm so high
But if he confesses his life we won't save
But I'll land him all on the first Island I'll make [type Ba]
Young Willie he quickly fell on his knees
The blood in his face did immediately freeze
God help me God help me for what I have done
God help me I fear my poor soul it's undone [type Ba]
Young Willie he rushed to the cabin with speed
He met this pretty fair maid which made his heart bleed
She ripped him she stripped him she tore him in three
Because he had murdered her baby and she [type Ca]
Turning round to the crew these words she did say
Now since I have taken this murder away
Good luck may attend you and you all agree
And send you safe home to your own counteree [not in broadsides]
We can see that this version, collected in a emote area in Newfoundland, have stanzas from all three broadsides. The name "Pretty Polly" is from type Ca.
What conclusion can we draw from this ballad? Why are there stanzas from three different broadsides in one ballad?
-----------------
I'm going to throw out some possible scenarios for (Ba) the Deming broadside, which was "Sold Wholesale and Retail by Leonard Deming, No. 1, Market Square, corner of Merchant's Row, Boston." about 1835.
The Deming broadside (Ba) is significantly shorter at 27 stanzas to the 34 stanzas of the nearly 100 year earlier Roxburghe broadside (Aa). Not only that, 3 more stanzas of Aa are missing in Bb and in place of theses 3 stanzas is the new text:
22) The captain soon summon'd the jovial ship's crew,
And said, my brave fellows, I fear some of you
Have murder'd some damsel ere you came away
Whose injur'd ghost now haunts you on the sea.
23) Whoever you be, if the truth you deny,
When found out, you'll be hung on the yard be high:
But he who confesses, his life we'll not take,
But leave him on the first island we make.
Who is the source of this new text? And why is this text, especially stanza 23, found in many versions in North America? It seems possible that the older broadside Aa was used for the opening stanzas. We know this because the murdered girl's name is Molly as in the Aa broadside-- then inexplicably changes to Mary. Could it be that an editor took a traditional version of Gosport (with the murdered girl named Mary) and changed the end of older broadside (Aa) but kept the beginning (leaving off stanzas 4 and 8)? How else could stanza 23 of Ba turn up in remote, inaccessible areas such as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland? If this logic follows could it also be possible that the traditional ballad used to change Ba could actually be the older ballad, predating 1726?
------------------------
Roud: RN15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249353)
First Line:
Source: Gwilym Davies Collection
Performer: Moore, Spenser
Date: 1997 (29 Nov)
Place: USA : Virginia : Chilhowie
Collector: Davies, Gwilym
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249331)
First Line:
Source: Kentucky Folklore Record 6:4 (1960) p.129 item 33
Performer: Smith, Hillard H.
Date:
Place: USA : Kentucky : Hindman
Collector: Combs, Josiah H.
I courted pretty Polly the livelong night
Source: Lomax, Folk Song USA (1947) pp.304-305
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S219026)
First Line: In Dustinger's city, in Dustinger's town
Source: Leach, The Book of Ballads (1967) pp.147-148
Performer:
Date:
Place: Canada : Newfoundland
Collector: Leach, MacEdward
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S305245)
First Line: Oh where's pretty Polly, O yonder she stands
Source: Vestapol 13026 ('Legends of Old Time Music')
Performer: Grigsby, Corbett
Date:
Place: USA : Kentucky : Hazard
The Ship's Carpenter
Roud Folksong Index (S161105)
First Line: 'Twas in Libergover[?] a damsel did dwell
Source: Edith Fowke Coll. (FO 7)
Performer: Spencer, Leo
Date: 1957 (Mar)
Place: Canada : Ontario : Lakefield
Collector: Fowke, Edith
The Ship's Carpenter
Roud Folksong Index (S161110)
First Line: Story, a story I'll tell, A
Source: Edith Fowke Coll. (FO 63)
Performer: Heffernan, John
Date: 1962 (Aug)
Place: Canada : Ontario : Peterborough
Collector: Fowke, Edith
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S306970)
First Line: Hey pretty Polly, pretty Polly, Oh yonder she stands
Source: Vestapol 13071 ('Shady Grove')
Performer: Holcomb, Roscoe
Date: 1972
Place: USA : Kentucky : Daisy
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S269848)
First Line: Polly pretty Polly oh yonder she stands
Source: Smithsonian-Folkways SF CD 40077 ('Mountain Music of Kentucky')
Performer: Sexton, Lee
Date: 1959
Place: USA : Kentucky
Collector: Cohen, John
The Ship's Carpenter
Roud Folksong Index (S161110)
First Line: Story, a story I'll tell, A
Source: Edith Fowke Coll. (FO 63)
Performer: Heffernan, John
Date: 1962 (Aug)
Place: Canada : Ontario : Peterborough
Collector: Fowke, Edith
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S384309)
First Line: Polly pretty Polly come go along with me
Source: Field Recorders' Collective FRC 509 ('Tennessee Banjo')
Performer: Leffew, Addie
Date: 1960s
Place: USA : Tennessee : Mountain City
Collector: Hoover, Peter
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249348)
First Line: It's Polly, oh Polly, oh yonder she stands
Source: Smithsonian Folkways CD 40093 ('Classic Old-Time Music')
Performer: Sexton, Lee
Date: 1959
Place: USA : Kentucky : Linefor
Pretty Polly [tune only]
Roud Folksong Index (S219002)
First Line: Polly, pretty Polly, over yonder she stands
Source: Kentucky Folklore Record 19:3 (1973) pp.87-88 (version a)
Performer: Atkins, Peggy
Date:
Place: USA : Kentucky
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S219023)
First Line: Pretty Polly over yonder she stands
Source: Folktrax 925-90 ('Frank Proffitt 2')
Performer: Proffitt, Frank
Date: 1969
Place: USA : N. Carolina : Watauga County
Collector: Warner, Anne & Frank
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S269847)
First Line: Polly pretty Polly oh yonder she stands
Source: Smithsonian-Folkways SF CD 40077 ('Mountain Music of Kentucky')
Performer: Cornett, Bill
Date: 1959
Place: USA : Kentucky : Hindman
Collector: Cohen, John
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S219023)
First Line: Pretty Polly over yonder she stands
Source: Folktrax 925-90 ('Frank Proffitt 2')
Performer: Proffitt, Frank
Date: 1969
Place: USA : N. Carolina : Watauga County
Collector: Warner, Anne & Frank
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249348)
First Line: It's Polly, oh Polly, oh yonder she stands
Source: Smithsonian Folkways CD 40093 ('Classic Old-Time Music')
Performer: Sexton, Lee
Date: 1959
Place: USA : Kentucky : Linefork
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S307901)
First Line: Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, you think it unkind
Source: Musical Traditions MTCD 341-2 ('Meeting's a Pleasure 2')
Performer: Gillum, Francis
Date: 1974 (Apr)
Place: USA : Kentucky : Isom
Collector: Wilson, Mark
Oh where is pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands
Source: Niles, More Songs of the Hill-Folk (1936) pp.2-3
Performer:
Date: 1930s
Place: USA : Kentucky : Viper
Collector: Niles, John Jacob
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S274852)
First Line: When it was midnight on the ocean
Source: Buford, Folk Songs of Florida and Texas (1941) p.139
Performer: Spann, Mrs. S.R.
Date: 1940c
Place: USA : Florida | Texas
Collector: Buford, Mary Elizabeth
Gaspard Tragedy
Roud Folksong Index (S381755)
First Line: In Gaspard of late a young damsel did dwell
Source: Mackenzie, Quest of the Ballad (1919) pp. 55-59
Performer: Langille, Maggie
Date: 1909
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Tatamagouche
Collector: MacKenzie, William Roy
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S388040)
First Line: Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, oh yonder she stands
Source: James Madison Carpenter MSS Collection (American Folklife Center, Library of Congress / VWML, London) p.10302
Performer:
Date: 1929c-1935c
Place: USA
Collector: Carpenter, James Madison
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249300)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version a)
Performer: Sexton, Woodrow
Date: 1942 (14 May)
Place: USA : Virginia : Big Laurel
Collector: Adams, John Taylor
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S318204)
First Line: I used to be a rounder, I've been around this town
Source: Riverside RLP 12-610 ('Banjo Songs of the Southern Mountains')
Performer: Ramsey, Obray
Date: 1955 (Aug)
Place: USA : N. Carolina : Marshall
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S158667)
First Line: Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
Source: McNeil, Southern Folk Ballads 1 (1987) pp.140-141
Performer: Boelyn, Maud
Date: 1962 (1 Sep)
Place: USA : Kentucky : Ary
Collector: Foss, George
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S158669)
First Line: Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, oh yonder she stands
Source: Tennessee Folklore Soc TFS 106 (`The Kirkland Recordings')
Performer: Stanley, Raymond
Date: 1937 (Jul)
Place: USA : Tennessee : Knoxville
Collector: Kirkland, Edwin & Mary
Pretty Molly
Roud Folksong Index (S218959)
First Line: Oh Molly, pretty Molly, come go with me
Source: Moore, Ballads & Folk Songs of the Southwest pp.158-159
Performer: Whisenhunt, Mrs. M.E.
Date:
Place: USA : Oklahoma : Slick
Collector: Moore, Ethel & Chauncey O.
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249303)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version d)
Performer: Fuson, Harvey H.
Date: 1938 (24 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia
Collector: Adams, John Taylor
Roud No: 15
------------------
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249301)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version b)
Performer: Kilgore, Mrs. Lenore
Date: 1938 (24 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia : Norton
Collector: Adams, John Taylor
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249304)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version e)
Performer: Johnson, Mrs. Polly
Date: 1939 (25 May)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249305)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version f)
Performer: Johnson, Lovell J.
Date: 1941 (14 Nov)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hylton, James M.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249306)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version h)
Performer: Hamilton, Mrs. Goldie
Date: 1938 (11 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia : Esserville
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249307)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version i)
Performer: Ison, Mrs. Sarah
Date: 1939 (22 May)
Place: USA : Virginia : Norton
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249309)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version l)
Performer: Bentley, Mrs. Cordelia
Date: 1939 (4 Aug)
Place: USA : Virginia : Esserville
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249310)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version m)
Performer: Hamilton, Mrs. Nellie
Date: 1939 (27 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249311)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version n)
Performer: Holbrooke, Mrs. Gladys
Date: 1939 (22 May)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249312)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version o)
Performer: Ison, Mrs. Cynthia
Date: 1939 (9 Oct)
Place: USA : Virginia : Norton
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249313)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version p)
Performer: Tolliver, Mrs. Vertie
Date: 1940 (5 Aug)
Place: USA : Virginia : Norton
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249315)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version r)
Performer: Tolliver, Mrs. William
Date: 1942 (14 Apr)
Place: USA : Virginia : Norton
Collector: Hylton, James M.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249316)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version s)
Performer: Shupe, Mrs. Martha
Date: 1939 (6 Jun)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
The Ship's Carpenter
Roud Folksong Index (S273106)
First Line:
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5766 / AC 2358 / 2814
Performer:
Date: 1955
Place: Canada
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
Source: Rounder CD 1705 (`Southern Journey 5: Bad Man Ballads')
Performer: Ball, Estil C.
Date: 1959 (31 Aug)
Berkshire Tragedy
Roud Folksong Index (S228719)
First Line: He led her through hedges and mire so deep
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Tunes p.3339
Performer: Shelton, W. Riley
Date: 1916 (29 Aug)
Place: USA : N. Carolina : Alleghany
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249302)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version c)
Performer: Franklin, Mrs. Virginia
Date: 1940 (29 Apr)
Place: USA : Virginia : Cranes Nest
Collector: Adams, John Taylor
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249308)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version k)
Performer: Hubbard, Uncle Joe
Date: 1939 (7 Jul)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise County
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249314)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version q)
Performer: Salyers, Mrs. Julia
Date: 1939 (1 Nov)
Place: USA : Virginia : Indian Creek
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249325)
First Line: O where is pretty Polly, O yonder she stands
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Tunes p.3144
Performer: Campbell, Mrs. J.C.
Date: 1916 (Mar)
Place: USA : N. Carolina : Asheville
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
The Ship Carpenter
Roud Folksong Index (S251524)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version t)
Performer: Hamilton, Mrs. Goldie
Date: 1938 (6 Sep)
Place: USA : Virginia : Esserville
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Sweet William
Roud Folksong Index (S253092)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version j)
Performer: Davis, Mrs. Barbara
Date: 1939 (17 Apr)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise County
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S158657)
First Line: In Dustinger's city, in Dustinger's town
Source: Leach, Folk Ballads & Songs of the Lower Labrador Coast (1965) pp.74-77 (version a)
Performer: O'Brien, Leo
Date: 1960 (Jun)
Place: Canada : Labrador : Lance au Loup
Collector: Leach, MacEdward
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S249359)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.256 (version g)
Performer: Johnson, Jesse James
Date: 1941 (17 Nov)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hylton, James M.
Roud No: 15
Oh Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S310976)
First Line: Oh Polly, Oh Polly, Oh Polly, said he
Source: Duncan, Ballads & Folk Songs Collected in Northern Hamilton County (1939) pp.132-133
Performer: Hughes, Mrs. Exona
Date: 1939 (18 Mar)
Place: USA : Tennessee : Flat Top
Collector: Duncan, Ruby
Roud No: 15
The Ship's Carpenter
Roud Folksong Index (S385148)
First Line:
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5980 / 3806
Performer: Gilks, John
Date: 1960
Place: Canada : New Brunswick : Southesk
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S158658)
First Line: In London fair city, in London fair town
Source: Leach, Folk Ballads & Songs of the Lower Labrador Coast (1965) pp.74-77 (version b)
Performer: Trimm, Stanley
Date: 1960 (Jul)
Place: Canada : Labrador : English Point
Collector: Leach, MacEdward
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S187861)
First Line: Oh Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
Source: Asch AH 3831 ('Ballads & Songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains')
Performer: Melton, Ivor
Date: 1960c(?)
Place: USA : Virginia : Galax
Collector: Davidson, Eric / Paul Newman / Caleb Finch
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S374699)
First Line:
Source: Beck, Down East Ballads & Songs (PhD thesis: Univ Pennsylvania, 1952) p.287
Performer:
Date: 1950c (?)
Place: USA
Collector: Beck, Horace Palmer
Roud No: 15
Pretty Polly
Roud Folksong Index (S331835)
First Line: In London fair city a lady did dwell
Source: Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML), London; Library Collection MPS 60 (32) folder 3 p.6
Performer:
Date: 1935
Place: USA
Willie and Mollie
Roud Folksong Index (S374700)
First Line:
Source: MacOdrum, Survivals of the English & Scottish Popular Ballads in Nova Scotia (1924) p.98
Performer:
Date: 1924c
Place: Canada : Nov Scotia
------------------------
Pretty Polly
Number of Stanzas 8 1/2
Accession Number 78-274
Tape Number C4366-A
Place of Recording St. Mary's
Region St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland
Date of Recording 770714
Informant Lon Walsh,
Collector Burke, Anne
Date Indexed 10/09/1991
First Stanza
O in Dusting's fair city, O in Dusting's fair square,
There lived one lady which I do declare,
She was courted for a young man for to be his bride,
And he was tall and handsome and he wore curly hair.
----------------
Given Title The Ghost on the Ship
Plot Summary A young man murders a fair lady. Subsequently he goes to sea and her ghost haunts the ship. Willie, the murderer, confesses. Her parents find her body in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The song warns young men not to take the lives of the young and innocent.
Number of Stanzas 11
Accession Number 78-236
Tape Number C 3546A
Tape Counter Number 115
Place of Recording Freshwater
Region Placentia Bay
Date of Recording 780000
Informant Bennett, Joachim
Collector West, Eric
Indexer Bold, Valentina
Date Indexed 09/06/1989
First Stanza
He led her over hills, over valleys so deep,
Until this fair damsel she began for to weep,
And she said, "I'm afraid you have led me astray,
And on purpose my innocent life to betray."
Annotation Mercer, 127; Laws P36A : There are two different endings to the song of the Cruel Ship's Carpenter. This one, unlike those listed in Mercer p. 111, ends with the carpenter confessing and being put off on an island, and the girls' parents recovering her body to bury it in a churchyard. Compare the fragment on C3539B, 437 (MUNFLA).
Source 4 volume paper index of song recordings held in the MUNFLA Archives. The index was compiled by the Memorial University Folklore Archives; and the digital database created by the Research Centre for Music, Media and Place.
Collection Memorial University Folklore Archive
---------------
Pretty Polly
Plot Summary Wealthy girl slights all suitors and elopes with sailor, despite her father's opposition. The false lover, Willy, tells her her grave has been dug and, despite her pleas, stabs and buries her. She is pregnant at the time. The ghosts of the mother and child appear aboard his ship and accuse him. The woman's ghost then strips him, tears him into three pieces and disappears, wishing the captain and crew a safe voyage home and good luck.
Number of Stanzas 12
Accession Number 74-222
Tape Number C1934
Tape Counter Number 565
Place of Recording Bellburns, West Coast
Region Great Northern Penninsula
Date of Recording 720802
Informant Stevens, Clara "Aunt Clad" (Mrs.)
Collector Tallman, Richard
Indexer Halley, M.
Date Indexed 05/00/1987
First Stanza
T'was of a rich merchant in London did dwell,
He had but one daughter whom a sailor loved well,
Rich lords came to court her; she slighted them all, Exceptin' the sailor, he was handsome and tall.
Annotation Mercer III, 169, 322; Laws, ABBB, P 36 B, p. 269; Karpeles, 1971: 115 (The Gasport Tragedy) [Laws P36A, 258]; Leach, 1965: 74, 76 (Pretty Polly; The Gosport Tragedy); Peacock, 1965: 404 (The Ship's Carpenter; The Perjured Ship's Carpenter).
Comments Informant learned song from her father [tape]. She calls it a "ghost song" and says she knows two versions. She sings a fragment of the "other version", which has no apparent relationship with this, but might be a version of Child #4 (Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight). "...in the tree by my door and he waits for his mate to return nevermore."
Source 4 volume paper index of song recordings held in the MUNFLA Archives. The index was compiled by the Memorial University Folklore Archives; and the digital database created by the Research Centre for Music, Media and Place.
Collection Memorial University Folklore