Pretty Polly

Summary: Before marrying "Willy", Polly is invited for a ride into the woods, wherin Polly spots a grave. At this point Willy explains that he's been digging all night - kills her and buries her - then rides off.

Moral: Don't go into the woods on the eve of your wedding.

polly, pretty polly, come go along with me
polly, pretty polly, come go along with me
before we get married, some pleasure to seek

she got up behind him and away they did ride
got up behind him and away they did ride
over the hills, and the valley so wide

they rode a little further, and what did they spy
rode a little further, and what did they spy
but a new dug grave, with a spade lyin by

oh willy, oh willy i'm scared of your ways
willy, oh willy i'm scared of your ways
scared you might lead my poor body astray

polly, pretty polly you've guessed just about right
polly, pretty polly you've guessed just about right
i've dug on your grave, the best part of last night

and he stabbed her in the heart, and the heart blood did flow
stabbed her in the heart, and the heart blood did flow
into her grave, pretty polly did go

he threw a little dirt over her and started for home
threw a little dirt over her and started for home
leaving nothing behind, but the wild blood still moaned

and it's death to the devil, and willy must pay
and it's death to the devil, and willy must pay
for killing pretty polly and running away

Additional Information:

This song featured in Dave's Angle on episode 8 of the Garden Sessions FREE fortnightly internet radio show (or Podcast).