Pretty Polly- (KY) 1939 Combs and Mixson BK
[From: Folk-songs from the Kentucky Highlands (Schirmer's American folk-song series, set 1) page 35, by Josiah Henry Combs, with music by Keith Mixson; 1939. Comb's calls this The Gosport Tragedy, but it lacks the early broadside stanzas and plot. This is a standard version with the "ship sinking/debt to the Devil" ending. There are two melodies given (upcoming). Comb's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2016]
THE GOSPORT TRAGEDY
This is one of the most popular of all British survivals over the Southern Highlands, and elsewhere. It is known under possibly a score of titles, and in nearly as many variants. It is best known as Pretty Polly, also as The Cruel Ship's Carpenter, Gosport is now a part of Portsmouth, England. Variant A is usually picked on the banjo. Variant B is a "fiddling tune", with an interlude. In the Highlands the violin seldom accompanies a singer.
1. Oh, Polly, pretty Polly, Oh, yonder she stands, (bis)
Gold rings on her fingers, her lily-white hands.
2. "Oh, Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me,
Before we get married some pleasure to see."
3. "Oh, Willie, Oh, Willie, I'm afraid of your way,
I'm afraid you will lead my poor body astray."
4. "Oh, Polly, pretty Polly, you're guessing about right,
For I dug on your grave the best part of last night."
5. Went on a little further, and what did they spy,
A new-dug grave, and a spade a-lying by.
6. No time for to talk, no time for to stand,
He drew out his dagger all in his right hand.
7. She threw her arms around him all in so much fear,
"How can you kill a poor girl that loves you so dear?"
8. He stabbed her to the heart, and the blood it did flow-
And in the cold grave pretty Polly did throw.
9. He threw the dirt over her, and started for home,
With no one to weep, but the wild birds to mourn.
10. There came a ship a-sailing all by the seaside--
And Willie got on it, away he did ride.
ll. All over the ocean he sailed with content,
Till the ship struck a rock, to the bottom she went.
12. A debt to the devil sweet Willie must pay-
For killing pretty Polly and running away.