Pretty Polly- Faye Watson (NC) c.1940 Abrams REC
[No date of place given. From W. Amos Abrams Folksong Collection; Mr. James York performs 'Pretty Polly.' Her singing is quick and a bit hard to understand- this is a quick partial transcription for now.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly --sung by Faye Watson c. 1940 from NC.
1. Pretty Polly, pretty Polly would you think it[1] unkind,
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly would you think it[1] unkind,
For me to sit by you and tell you my mind.
2. Pretty Polly, pretty Polly . . .
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly . . .
I know you are trying to . . .
3. I led her over hills and through valleys so deep,
I led her over and through valleys so deep,
And then Pretty began unto weep.
4. Come along Pretty Polly and go away with me
Come along Pretty Polly and go away with me,
Before we get married some pleasure we'll see.
5 They went a little bit farther and what did they spy
They went a little bit further and what did they spy
A new dug grave and a shovel standing by.[2]
6. She threw her arms round him and suffered no fear,
She threw her arms round him and suffered no fear,
How can you kill a girl who loves you so dear?
7. He stabbed her through the heart and the blood it did flow,
He stabbed her through the heart and her blood it did flow,
And into the grave Pretty Polly did go.
8. [ ?]
9. He threw dirt around her and turned to go home,
He threw dirt around her and turned to go home,
Left nothing behind him but the bird for to mourn.
10. [tape cuts off]
1. she sings "you"?
2. ?