Pretty Polly- Jim Howard (KY) 1937 Lomax REC
[From Lomax recording 1375 A-B1. This version has three opening stanzas. There also is a recording of Howard speaking the ballad text instead of singing.
http://digital.berea.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16020coll13/id/447/rec/1
R. Matteson 2016]
James (Blind Jim) Howard (b.6-22-88) was one of the two singers recorded by John and Alan Lomax on their first Kentucky trip in 1933. He lived in the Harlan County community of Dressin. He mostly played his fiddle to accompany his singing. He performed for school programs, neighborhood gatherings, and in the early 1940s, on Harlan, Kentucky radio station WHLN. John Lomax remembered him as being “kindly, keenly intelligent, without formal education” and singing “blood-stirring ballads of love and life in the mountains.” Alan Lomax made additional recordings of his singing and playing in 1937.
PRETTY POLLY. Sung by Jim Howard with fiddle in Harlan, Kentucky; recorded by Alan and Elizabeth Lomax, 1937.
I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in town
I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in town
I courted Pretty Polly, her beauty has never been found
Polly, Pretty Polly, would you think it unkind?
Polly, Pretty Polly, would you think it unkind?
For me to sit down beside you and tell you my mind.
I courted Pretty Polly, one whole live long night
I courted Pretty Polly, one whole live long night
Left the next morning, before it was light
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, come go along with me
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, come go along with me
Before we get married, some pleasure to see
I led her over hills and through valleys so deep
I led her over hills and through valleys so deep
Pretty Polly, she mistrusted and then began to weep
Oh Willy, oh Willy, I'm feared from your ways
Oh Willy, Sweet Willy, I'm feared from your ways
The way you've been rambling you'll lead me astray
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're guessing just right
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're guessing just right
I dug on your grave, six long hours of last night
She went on a little piece farther and what did she spy?
She went on a little piece farther and what did she spy?
A new grave was dug and the spade a-lying by
No time now to study, no time now to stand,
No time now to study, no time now to stand,
He stood with his knife drew in his right hand.
She threw her arms around him and trembled with fear
She threw her arms around him and began for to weep
How can you kill a poor girl you love so dear?
Stabbed her through the heart and her heart blood did flow
Stabbed her through the heart and her heart blood did flow
Down in the grave Pretty Polly had to go.
Threw the dirt over her and turned away to go
Threw the dirt over her and turned away to go
Leave nothing behind but the wild birds to moan.
All you good people I'll bid you farewell
All you good people I'll bid you farewell
I murdered Pretty Polly, my soul's bound for hell.