Pretty Polly- Louisa Hensley (KY) 1908 Campbell MS
[From Olive Dame Campbell MS. Apparently Sharp visited Mrs. Hensley in 1927 when she was sick. Hensley's daughter ? (or a Hensley relative) sang part of this.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- sung by Hensley, Louisa of Clay County, KY in 1908; taken down by Daisy G. Dame (Cambell's sister?)
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.
He led her over hill and valley so deep,
At last Pretty Polly began for to weep.
Willy, oh Willy I am afraid of your way,
I'm afraid you're leading my body a-stray[1].
Polly, oh Polly you're guessing just right
I dug your grave the biggest part of last night.
Go a little further and see what you spy,
Your grave ready dug and a spade lying by.
She went a little further and what did she spy
Her grave was ready dug and a spade lying by.
She thew her arms around him and suffered no fear,
How could you kill a poor girl who loves you so dear?[2]
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, no time for to stand,
Holding a knife all in his right hand.
He pierced it through her heart, and the blood it did flow,
And into the grave her poor body did go.
He threw the sod over her and turned to go home,
No one left behind but the little birds[3] to mourn.
He got there before it was light,
Went raving distracted and died the same night.
1. has "astray" crossed out and also "some stray"
2. MS has (Willy oh willy) preceding this line
3 MS has "little girl"