Pretty Polly
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs And The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
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Polly, Pretty Polly, would you take me unkind
Let me set beside you and tell you my mind
Well my mind is to marry and never to part
My mind is to marry and never to part
The first time I saw you it wounded my heart
Polly Pretty Polly come go along with me
Before we get married some pleasures to see
Oh he led her over mountains and valleys so deep
He led her over hills and valleys so deep
Pretty Polly mistrusted and then began to weep
Oh Willie, Little Willie, I'm afraid to of your ways
Willie, Little Willie, I'm afraid of your ways
The way you've been rambling you'll lead me astray
Oh Polly, Pretty Polly, your guess is about right
Polly, Pretty Polly, your guess is about right
I dug on your grave the biggest part of last night
Oh she knelt down before him a pleading for her life
She knelt down before him a pleading for her life
Let me be a single girl if I can't be your wife
Oh Polly, Pretty Polly that never can be
Polly, Pretty Polly that never can be
Your past recitation's been trouble to me
Oh went down to the jailhouse and what did he say
He went down to the jailhouse and what did he say
I've killed Pretty Polly and trying to get away
The song "Pretty Polly" by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs And The Stanley Brothers tells the tragic story of a man named Willie who tries to court a woman named Polly. Throughout the song, Willie's intentions become more and more sinister, with the final verse revealing that he has killed Polly. The song is an example of a murder ballad, a traditional folk song genre that tells stories of homicide, often from the perspective of the killer.
The lyrics convey Willie's desperation for Polly's affection, as he tries to convince her to be with him while simultaneously admitting he plans to marry her and never let her leave him. Despite her initial reluctance, Polly ultimately agrees to go with Willie on a journey through mountains and valleys. It is during this journey that Polly begins to suspect Willie's true intentions and ultimately realizes that he plans to kill her. In a desperate plea for her life, Polly begs Willie to spare her, but he ultimately kills her and attempts to escape justice by confessing to his crime.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Polly, Pretty Polly, would you take me unkind
Hey there Polly, would you reject me if I told you my intentions?
Well, my mind is to marry and never to part
I intend to marry you forever and never leave your side
The first time I saw you it wounded my heart
When I first saw you, I was deeply affected by your beauty
Oh Polly Pretty Polly come go along with me
Would you like to come with me, Polly?
He led her over hills and valleys so deep
He guided her through difficult terrain
Pretty Polly mistrusted and then began to weep
Polly became uneasy and cried because she didn't trust her companion
Willie, Little Willie, I'm afraid of your ways
Willie, I am concerned about your behavior
I dug on your grave the biggest part of last night
Last night, I dug a large part of your grave
She knelt down before him a pleading for her life
She begged for her life on her knees in front of him
Let me be a single girl if I can't be your wife
If I cannot be your wife, I would rather be single
Oh went down to the jailhouse and what did he say
He went to the jailhouse and said
I've killed Pretty Polly and trying to get away
I killed Polly and now I am trying to escape
Polly, Pretty Polly, your guess is about right
Your suspicions are correct, Polly
Before we get married some pleasures to see
Before we get married, I'd like to enjoy some fun experiences with you
Oh Polly, Pretty Polly that never can be
Polly, that is not possible
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: B.F. Shelton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rob Haccou
281 BPM is NOT too fast. Best rendition of this song !!
gram4neil
Ralph singing the lead!
Chris Ginish
Pretty and dark.