There is a consistent form to all three Newfoundland versions.
Pretty Polly- as performed by Din Dobbin of St.Vincent's
(Beginning of song missing)
_________ before we get married our friends to go see
He led her through roads and through valleys so neat Which caused pretty Polly to sigh and to weep Sayin' Willie dear Willie you lead me astray Perhaps my poor innocent life to betray
It's true yes true it's true what you say For this whole long night l have been digging a grave She walked straight along til her grave she did spy Which caused Pretty Polly to weep and to cry
Oh pardon please pardon oh pardon she cried For l will not covet for to be your bride I'll roam this wide world o'er for to set you free If you only will pardon this baby and me
No pardon no pardon no time for to stand He instantly taking a knife in his hand He pierced her dear breast while her heart's blood did flow Which caused him to that cold grave her body he threw
He covered her over well safe and so sound Not thinking this murder would ever be found On board of the Bedford he entered straightway His lofty ship lay in Portsmouth bound out on the sea
Charlie Stewart was our bosun a seaman so bold One night it was late he walked aft to the hold When a beautiful damsel to him did appear And she bore in her arms a baby most dear
He bein' merry in liquor he thought to embrace Wit' transports of j'y which he held in his face She frew a one side and then vanished away He made haste to our Captain he made no delay
Our Captain soon summonsed our jolly ships crew And said my dear sailors l fear one of you Have murdered some fair one before ye came 'way And now she is haunting us here on the sea
Then up speaks young Willie I'm sure it ain't me And up speaks another I'm sure it ain't me And up speaks another indeed it ain't me Till discourse it went through the whole ship's company
Whoever it may be it's the truth he'll deny I'll hang him out here on the yardarm so high But if he confesses his life we won't save But I'll land him all on the first Island I'll make
Young Willie he quickly fell on his knees The blood in his face did immediately freeze God help me God help me for what l have done God help me l fear my poor soul it's undone
Young Willie he rushed to the cabin with speed He met this pretty fair maid which made his heart bleed She ripped him she stripped him she tore him in three Because he had murdered her baby and she
Turning round to the crew these words she did say Now since l have taken this murder away Good luck may attend you and you all agree And send you safe home to your own counteree