Pretty Polly- Din Dobbin (NL) 1951 Leach
[From: MacEdward Leach and the Songs of Atlantic Canada- online. Following is some information at St. Vincent's from the site.
To listen: http://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/13-01_51.htm
For each stanza I've added in brackets [ ] the broadside type that has a similar stanza. The three broadsides are Roxburghe (Aa) London 1720-1750; Deming (Ba) Boston 1835 and Polly's Love" (Ca) c. 1820 British Isles.
R. Matteson 2016]
St. Vincent's is located at the eastern opening of Holyrood Pond, an estuary off the southwestern arm of St. Mary's Bay. Like many other small communities in the area, it was used by 16th century French and Portuguese migratory fishermen as a seasonal station. Most notable is its connection with the Portuguese fishery; St. Vincent's appeared as "Porta da Cruz" on a Portuguese map of the region dated 1519. Permanent settlement began in the late 1700s when English and Irish settlers established a local salmon fishery. Holyrood Pond is still known today for its sea-run trout and salmon populations.
"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]