Pretty Polly
Mary Lee & the B-Side Brothers Lyrics
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Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly would you think it unkind
If I sat down beside you and told you my mind?
I courted Pretty Polly the live-long night
I courted Pretty Polly the live-long night
Until it was next morning before it was light
I led her over hills to the valley so deep
At last Pretty Polly's beginning to weep
"Come on Pretty Polly, and go along with me
Come on Pretty Polly, and go along with me
Before we get married, some pleasure to see
Oh Willie, sweet Willie, I fear from your ways
Oh Willy, oh Willy, I fear from your ways
The way you are ramblin' it's making me afraid
She went a piece farther (to) see what she could spy
She went a piece farther (to) see what she could spy
A new dug grave and a spade lying by
Had no time *weep and no time there to stand
Had no time weep and no time there to stand
He drew a knife holding in his right hand
"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're guessing just right
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're guessing about right
I dug on your grave six long hours all last night
She threw her arms around him and suffered no tears
She threw her arms around him and suffered no tears
How can you kill a girl that loves you so dear?
He stabbed her through the heart, her hearts blood did flow
He stabbed her through the heart, her hearts blood it did flow
And into the grave Prettty Polly did go
Oh Willie, sweet Willie turn loose my hand
Willie, sweet Willie turn loose my hand
You see my heart's blood running around where you stand
He threw the dirt over her and turned to go home
Threw the dirt over her and turned to go home
Leaving nothing behind him but the birds for to mourn
The lyrics to "Pretty Polly" tell a dark and haunting tale of a man named Willie who courts a young woman, Pretty Polly, and ultimately murders her. The song begins with Willie expressing his desire to sit down with Polly and reveal his feelings to her. He then courts her throughout the night and into the morning, leading her to remote locations. At this point, Polly starts to weep, showing her fear of Willie's intentions.
When Polly goes to investigate, she discovers a freshly dug grave and a spade nearby. Realizing the danger she is in, she questions Willie's motives and expresses her fear of his erratic behavior. However, Willie confesses to having spent hours digging her grave, revealing his sinister plan. Despite Polly's desperate pleas for her life, Willie stabs her through the heart, causing her blood to flow and ultimately burying her in the grave he had prepared.
The song ends with Polly's final words, as she implores Willie to release her hand and witnesses her own blood running around the spot where she stood. Willie heartlessly covers her with dirt before leaving, leaving only the birds to mourn her tragic fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly would you think it unkind
Beautiful Polly, Beautiful Polly, would you consider it unfair
If I sat down beside you and told you my mind?
If I sat next to you and shared my thoughts?
I courted Pretty Polly the live-long night
I pursued Lovely Polly throughout the entire night
Until it was next morning before it was light
Until the arrival of morning, before daylight
I led her over hills to valleys so deep
I guided her across hills to deep valleys
At last Pretty Polly's beginning to weep
Finally, Lovely Polly is starting to cry
Come on Pretty Polly, and go along with me
Come on Lovely Polly, and accompany me
Before we get married, some pleasure to see
Before we marry, let's experience some joy
Oh Willie, sweet Willie, I fear from your ways
Oh Willie, dear Willie, I am concerned about your behavior
The way you are ramblin' it's making me afraid
Your wandering nature is causing me fear
She went a piece farther (to) see what she could spy
She went a bit further to observe what she could find
A new dug grave and a spade lying by
A freshly dug grave with a shovel lying nearby
Had no time *weep and no time there to stand
No time to weep and no time to stand there
He drew a knife holding in his right hand
He took out a knife, holding it in his right hand
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you're guessing just right
Beautiful Polly, Beautiful Polly, you're guessing correctly
I dug on your grave six long hours all last night
I spent six long hours digging your grave all through the night
She threw her arms around him and suffered no tears
She embraced him tightly, holding back any tears
How can you kill a girl that loves you so dear?
How can you murder a girl who loves you so dearly?
He stabbed her through the heart, her hearts blood did flow
He stabbed her in the heart, causing her blood to flow
And into the grave Pretty Polly did go
And Pretty Polly went into the grave
Oh Willie, sweet Willie turn loose my hand
Oh Willie, dear Willie, let go of my hand
You see my heart's blood running around where you stand
You see my lifeblood flowing where you are standing
He threw the dirt over her and turned to go home
He covered her with dirt and turned to leave for home
Leaving nothing behind him but the birds for to mourn
Leaving only the birds to mourn in his absence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: O'SULLIVAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind