Pretty Polly- Mrs. Riggins (AR) 1964 Parler B
[Ozark Collection REEL 440 Item 6. Collected by Dana Durst and Ellen Eagleson for Mary C. Parler.
This version has the broadside opening and closing.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- Mrs. Ollie Riggins of Fayetteville, Ark. April, 1964
In London's fair city a lady did dwell,
In London's fair city a lady did dwell,
In London's fair city a lady did dwell,
T'was next to her beauty no tongue can tell.
Oh Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me,
Oh Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me,
Oh Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me,
Before we get married some pleasure to see.
He lead her over hills and through valleys so deep,
He lead her over hills and through valleys so deep,
He lead her over hills and through valleys so deep,
Till this poor damsel begin to weep.
Come go along a little further see what you can spy,
Come go along a little further see what you can spy,
Come go along a little further see what you can spy,
She spied her grave dug and the spade a laying by.
She threw her arms around him not suffering no fear,
She threw her arms around him not suffering no fear,
She threw her arms around him not suffering no fear,
How could you kill a poor girl that loved you so dear?
He paid but a little attention to that,
He paid but a little attention to that,
He paid but a little attention to that,
He drew a sharp knife all in his right hand.
He pressed it to her heart and the blood it did flow,
He pressed it to her heart and the blood it did flow,
He pressed it to her heart and the blood it did flow,
And into her grave her body did go.
He threw a little dirt over and turned to go home,
Threw a little dirt over and turned to go home,
Threw a little dirt over and turned to go home,
Left nothing behind but birds to moan.
He picked up the shovel and started to go home,
He picked up the shovel and started home,
He picked up his shovel and started fer home,
He went raving distracted and died the same night.