Jim,

There are several standard openings for the US short versions:

1a. I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in town
I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in town
I courted Pretty Polly, her beauty has never been found.

This is from Jim Howard 1937 KY and should be:
I used to be a rambler, I roamed from town to town.

Notice that the final line still relates to the broadside text.

1b. I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I courted Pretty Polly I've been all around.

From Coon Creek Girls, 1938. Same opening but last line has nothing to do with broadside.

2a. Pretty Polly, pretty Polly would you think it unkind,
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly would you think it unkind,
For me to sit by you and tell you my mind.

My mind is to marry and never to part,
My mind is to marry and never to part,
For the first time is saw you you wounded my heart.

This opening which has been incorporated into other in waltz time songs has two stanzas- sometimes the second is missing:

2b. Polly, Pretty Polly, would you think it unkind?
Polly, Pretty Polly, would you think it unkind?
For me to sit down beside you and tell you my mind.
[Jim Howard, 1937 KY has only the first stanza.]

3a. I courted Pretty Polly, one whole live long night
I courted Pretty Polly, one whole live long night
Left the next morning, before it was light

[again Jim Howard, but perhaps most famous by Dock Boggs, 1927]

3b. I talked to pretty Polly one whole long night,
I talked to pretty Polly one whole long night,
I left the next morning before daylight.

["Pretty Polly" Addie Graham, born before 1900 in Kentucky, from recording, Been A Long Time Traveling.]

4a. "O where is Pretty Polly?" "O yonder she stands,
Gold rings upon her fingers, her lily-white hands."

[Pretty Polly; Hindman, KY pre1907; collected from H. Smith by Katherine Pettit]

There are over a dozen versions with 4a. as an opening. Sometimes they are combined as Jim Howard's version has three. 2a. found also crossed over in the waltz time songs is simply: he meets her, wants to marry her because she's wounded his heart- then he takes her "over hills and valleys so deep."

The other 3/4 time songs lack a cohesive theme and subject. By putting this opening (2a.) in Wagoner's Lad at least there is a specific love interest.

Richie