Pretty Polly- Sauceman Brothers (TN) 1947 REC
[From: Rich-R-Tone 457 (on a 78 backed by Little Birdie- 1947 date Meade) also on Early Days of Bluegrass Vol. 7. Recorded in 1950 by The Sauceman Brothers-- Carl Sauceman (d. January 28, 2005) and his brother, John Paul "J.P." Sauceman (1926-1984). The Saucemans was raised in the Bright Hope community, Greeneville, Tennessee.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- sung by Sauceman Brothers, 1947 from Bright Hope community, Greeneville, Tennessee.
[banjo intro]
"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, would you treat me unkind?
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, would you treat unkind?
Come sit down beside me and tell me your mind."
"Oh mine[1] is to marry and never to part,
Oh mine is to marry and never to part,
The first time I saw you it wounded my heart."
[mandolin solo]
He led her over the mountains and valleys so deep,
He led her over the mountains and valleys so deep,
Pretty Polly mistreated[2] and then began to weep.
"Willie, oh Willie, I'm 'fraid from your ways
Oh Willie, oh Willie, I'm 'fraid from your ways
The way you've been rambling you'll lead me astray."
"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're guessing 'bout right
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're guessing 'bout right
For I dug on your grave, the biggest part of last night."
[banjo]
They went a little farther and what did she spy?
They went a little farther and what did she spy?
A newly dug grave with a spade lying by.
He opened up her bosom as white as any snow,
He opened up her bosom as white as any snow,
He stabbed her to the heart and the blood did overflow.
He threw some dirt up on her and then turned to go
He threw some dirt up on her and then turned to go
To leave pretty Polly in the cold earth[3] below.
1. my mind
2. mistrusted
3. originally "woods"?