The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #97590   Message #4211287
Posted By: GUEST,henryp
09-Nov-24 - 06:37 AM
Thread Name: Suggestions Sought: Songs for two people
Subject: RE: Suggestions Sought: Songs for two people
Pretty Polly

Oh Willie, oh Willie, I'm a feared for my life
Oh Willie, oh Willie, I'm a feared for my life
I'm afraid you mean to murder me, and leave me behind

Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you guessed about right
Polly, Pretty Polly, you guessed about right
I've been diggin' your grave, for the best part of last night

American versions of the song, such as those of B.F. Shelton and Dock Boggs, tend to begin in the first person
("I courted Pretty Polly...") and switch to the third person for the murder ("he stabbed her to the heart");
Jean Ritchie's 1963 recording as well as Judy Collins' 1968 recording featured alternating verses,
switching back and forth between Polly and Willie's perspectives. Wikipedia