Pretty Polly- Frank Bode (NC) 1964 REC
[From the recording: Been Riding with Old Mosby; Frank Bode with Tommy Jarrell and Paul Brown FW31109 / FTS 31109; 1964.
Frank Bode was born in 1939 in Greensboro NC and grew up in Dobson in Surry County. Lived in Toast outside Mt. Airy wher this was recorded. Frank Bode married Coy Sykes' daughter, Ginger, an excellent guitarist.
This version is similar to Ralph Stnaley's version.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- Sung by Frank Bode
Polly, Pretty Polly, would you take me unkind
Polly, Pretty Polly, would you take me unkind
Come and set beside me, let me tell you my 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 wounded my heart.
Polly pretty Polly come go along with me
Polly pretty Polly come go along with me
Before we get married some pleasures to see.
She got up behind him and away they did go
She got up behind him and away they did go
Over the mountains and valleys so low.
They went a little farther and what did she spy
They went a little farther and what did she spy
A fresh dug grave with a spade lying by.
Willie, little Willie I'm afraid of your way,
Willie, little Willie I'm afraid of your way,
The way you've been acting you'll lead me astray.
Polly, pretty Polly, your guess is about right,
Polly, pretty Polly, your guess is about right,
I dug on your grave best part of last night.
He opened her bosom as white as any snow
he opened her bosom as white as any snow
he stabbed her through the heart and the blood did overflow.
Oh went down to the jailhouse and what did he say
He went down to the jailhouse and what did he say
I've killed Pretty Polly and I'm trying to get away.