Pretty Polly- Hulda Robinson (KY) 1937 Lomax REC
[LOC recording by Alan Lomax, 1937.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- Sung by Hulda Robertson of Goose Rock, Clay County KY, on October 7, 1937. Recorded Alan Lomax. My incomplete transcription.
"Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go with me,
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go with me,
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go with me,
We'll go and get married some pleasures to see."
He led her over hills and valleys so deep,
He led her over hills and valleys so deep,
He led her over hills and valleys so deep,
Then pretty Polly began for to weep.
"O Willie, O Willie, I'm feared of your way, [repeat as before]
"Come sit on beside her and suffer no fear." [1]
Went on a piece farther and what did she spy?
She saw her grave dug, and a spade laying by.
He told her I'm drowning and suffered no fear,[1]
How can you kill a girl who loves you so dear?
He had his knife in his right hand,
He stobbed her to the heart, the blood it did flow.
He stabbed her to the heart, the blood did flow,
And into the grave pretty Polly must go.
He threw some dirt over and turned to go home,
Left nothing behind him but the birds to mourn.
He got home before it was light,
He went raving distracted and died the same night.
1. hard to understand