Pretty Polly

Ralph Stanley

 

 

B -

C

Oh Polly, Pretty Polly, would you take me unkind? (x2)

C                                          G                      C

You just sit beside me and tell me you’re mine.

 

J -

Well, my mind is to marry and never to part. (x2)

The first time I saw you, you wounded my heart

 

B -

Oh Polly, Pretty Polly, come and go along with me. (x2)

Before we get married some pleasure we’ll see.

 

L -

Well, he led her over mountains and valleys so deep. (x2)

Polly mistrusted and then began to weep.

 

J -

Saying Willie, Little Willie, I’m afraid of your ways. (x2)

The way you’ve been rambling, you’ll lead me astray.

 

B -

Well Polly, Pretty Polly, your guess is about right. (x2)

I dug on your grave the best part of last night.

 

L -

Well, he led her a little farther, and what did she spy, (x2)

A new-dug grave, with a spade lying by.

 

L -

J -

She knelt down before him pleading for her life. (x2)

Let me be a single girl if I can’t be your wife.

 

B -

Oh Polly, Pretty Polly that never can be. (x2)

Your past reputation's been trouble to me.

 

L -

Then he opened up her bosom as white as any snow. (x2)

Stabbed her through the heart, and the blood did overflow.

 

L -

B -

He went to the jailhouse and what did he say. (x2)

I killed Pretty Polly and tried to get away.