Hi,

Gutcher- I'd say that the standard US (Appalachain) Pretty Polly melody would have no resemblance to Greig-Duncan- however if Steve emails me a copy I'd like to look at those melodies.

The standard British versions are melodies used from the later broadside (early 1800s) "Polly's Love." The only traditional US version of that I have found is similar to "Sweet Betsy from Pike." Wiggy Smith sings a melody I've not heard and ironically sings of "Sweet Betsy."

The melody of Pretty Polly is sometimes minor "Dorian" and there is one beautiful minor rendering in The Abrams Collection which I'm convinced is very old and represents an early rendering of the ballad. It doesn't have the repeats of the first line:

Listen: http://omeka.library.appstate.edu/files/original/38ef8d25d4b1da33c347916da1dc6cd1.mp3

Pretty Polly- Sung by Mrs. James York on Dec. 7, 1940 at the Bland Hotel in Raleigh, NC. Transcribed R. Matteson 2016.

Come along Pretty Polly and go with me
Before we get married our friends to see.

He led her o'er hills and valleys so deep,
At last this poor damsel began to weep.

Oh William, I'm afraid you are leading me astray,
One purpose my innocent life to betray.

Come on Pretty Polly you guessed it just right
I'm digging your grave the one part of last night

Her lily-white hands in horror she rose
I'm crying for mercy what have I done?

They went a bit further and what did they spy
But a grave newly dug and a spade by the side

She threw her arms 'round him and suffered no fear,
How can you kill a girl who loves you so dear?

Come on Pretty Polly, no time to stand,
He instantly drew his best[1] knife in his hand.

He stabbed her through the heart and the blood it did flow,
And into the grave that poor body did go.

He threw some dirt o'er and turned to go home
Left nothing but the birds to make her sad mourn.

Oh where is Pretty Polly, oh woe is me?
Oh, now I am bound for one part of the sea.

1. own knife?

Jim- I was wondering about the text found also in Pretty Polly that has appeared in a half dozen collected waltz-time versions of Wagoner's Lad; Trouble in Mind; Cuckoo etc. It's clear to me that the Pretty Polly text existed before and was taken into the other songs.

Richie