Hi,

This traditional version from Kentucky has elements of "Gosport" at least enough to show the connection.

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

In London city I used to dwell
In London city I used to dwell
In London city I used to dwell
I left Pretty polly I loved so well.

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

Sweet William, Sweet william you're leading me astray
I am a poor girl, my body to betray.

I led her o'er hills and valleys so deep
At length Pretty Polly began to weep.

Oh now we are here no time to stand,
And since [1] I've taken my knife in my hand

I stobbed her to the heart, the blood it did flow,
And into the grave Pretty Polly did go.

I threw some dust over her, turned to go home
Left nothing but the birds to mourn.

Went on a piece farther, saw I hadn't done right
Went raving distracted and died the same night.

1. usually "Instantly" perhaps folk process here

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Concerning Mike Watterson's recording- is it taken from Paddy McCluskey's "Young Willie" or is it a similar version?

Does anyone have access to William Christie's version in Traditional Airs Volume 2, circa 1889 ?

Richie