Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Pretty Polly
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There used to be a gambler who courted all around
He courted pretty Polly, such a beauty never been found
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go long with me
Before we get married, some pleasures to see
She jumped up behind him and 'way they did go
Down into the valley that was far below
They went a little further and what did they spot
They went a little further and what did they spot
But a newly dug grave with a spade lying by
Oh, Willy, oh, Willy, I'm afraid of your ways
Oh, Willy, oh, Willy, I'm afraid of your ways
I'm afraid you will lead my poor body astray
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, you guessed it just right
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, you guessed it just right
I dug all your grave the better part of last night
Then he stabbed her in her heart 'till her heart's blood did flow
He stabbed her in her heart 'till her heart's blood did flow
Down into the grave pretty Polly did go
Now a debt to the devil, that Willy must pay
A debt to the devil, that Willy must pay
For killing pretty Polly and running away
The Byrds' song "Pretty Polly" is a traditional American folk song, also known as "The Gosport Tragedy". The song tells the story of a gambler who courts a beautiful woman named Polly. He convinces her to come with him to see some pleasures before they get married. As they travel through the valley, they come across a newly dug grave. When Polly expresses fear about the gambler's ways, he reveals that he dug her grave the previous night and stabs her heart, killing her.
The dark and gruesome story of "Pretty Polly" represents the danger that women faced when they trusted men in the 19th century. It also represents the harsh reality of justice in the time, where murderers could get away with their crimes, leaving only a debt to the devil to pay. The Byrds' version of the song retains the traditional acoustic arrangement and features the harmonizing vocals that helped define their sound.
Line by Line Meaning
There used to be a gambler who courted all around
There was a man who used to gamble and woo women from all over.
He courted pretty Polly, such a beauty never been found
He was particularly interested in a woman named Pretty Polly, who he thought was incredibly beautiful.
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
The gambler asked Pretty Polly to come with him.
Before we get married, some pleasures to see
Before they got married, the gambler wanted to have some fun experiences with Pretty Polly.
She jumped up behind him and 'way they did go
Pretty Polly hopped on behind the gambler and they rode off.
Down into the valley that was far below
As they rode, they went down a valley that was quite deep.
They went a little further and what did they spot
After some time had passed, they noticed something in the distance.
But a newly dug grave with a spade lying by
The thing they saw was a freshly dug grave and a shovel nearby.
Oh, Willy, oh, Willy, I'm afraid of your ways
Pretty Polly became scared of the gambler.
I'm afraid you will lead my poor body astray
She feared he would harm her.
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, you guessed it just right
The gambler confirmed her fears by admitting he was responsible for digging the grave.
I dug all your grave the better part of last night
He dug the grave while she was asleep the previous night.
Then he stabbed her in her heart 'till her heart's blood did flow
The gambler then killed Pretty Polly by stabbing her in the heart.
Down into the grave pretty Polly did go
He buried her body in the grave he had dug.
Now a debt to the devil, that Willy must pay
The gambler knows he has made a grave mistake, and must now pay for his sins.
For killing pretty Polly and running away
His debt is for killing Pretty Polly and fleeing the scene.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Chris Hillman, Roger Mcguinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max Merry
Phenomenal electric 12-string from McGuinn on this out-take, much better than the version he did on "Cardiff Rose". Dark and sinister which much traditional folk music, born of want, always is.....
World Bluegrass Day
Great version.
Pizza Pie
Pretty Polly's beauty must've been incredibly difficult to resist.
labluvver
That Roll Over Beethoven lick gets old quick.
Arthur Harris
The best track on Sweetheart of the Rodeo and it wasn't on the original release - where's the logic?
labluvver
Gram was under contract to another record company, so most all of his lead vocals were redone w/ McGuinn or just withheld.
blahblah92
They could've done better