Pretty Polly - Tommy Jarrell (NC) c.1955 BK
[My date. From: Old-Time Fiddle Round Peak Style by Brad Leftwich.
R. Matteson 2016]
Pretty Polly- Sung by Tommy Jarrell of North Carolina
Pretty Polly pretty Polly come go along with me [2 times]
Before we get married, some pleasure we'll see.
She climbed up behind him and away they did go
Over the hill and valley so low
oh, they went a little farther and what did they spy,
A new-dug grave and a spade lying by.
Oh Willie, oh Willie, I'm afraid of your ways,
I'm afraid that you'll lead my poor body astray.
Oh Polly, your guess is about right,
I dug on your grave the biggest part of last night.
He stabbed her to the heart and her life blood did flow,
And into the grave pretty Polly did go.
He threw some dirt over her and turned to go home,
While the wild birds and the turtledoves were left to mourn.