Van Dyke Parks
Pretty Polly
Polly, Pretty Polly, come go long with me
Polly, Pretty Polly, come go long with me
Before we get married, some pleasure to see
She jumped up behind him and away they did ride
She jumped up behind him, away they did go
Over the mountains, and valleys so low
Oh Willie, oh Willie, I'm a feared for my life
Oh Willie, oh Willie, I'm a feared for my life
I'm afraid you mean to murder me, and leave me behind
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you guessed about right
Polly, Pretty Polly, you guessed about right
I've been diggin' your grave, for the best part of last night
She knelt down before him, pleading for her life
She knelt down before him, pleading for her life
Let me be a single girl, if I can't be your wife
He stabbed her to the heart, and her heart blood did flow
He stabbed her to the heart, and her heart blood did flow
And into the grave, Pretty Polly did go
He through a little dirt on her and started for home
He through a little dirt over her and started for home
Leaving nobody there, but the wild birds to moan
A debt to the devil, Willie must pay
A debt to the devil, Willie must pay
For killing Pretty Polly, and running, and running, and running, and running away