Hi Steve,

Toelken's article is on my site here:
http://www.bluegrassmessengers.com/1an-oral-canon-for-the-child-ballads.aspx

TY

I'm going to put a few traditional British versions on- this is based on the broadside Polly's Love. It's from the Henry Hammond Manuscript Collection (HAM/2/1/25).

Polly - as sung by Mrs. Gulliver, of Combe Florey, Somerset in May, 1905. Collected by Henry Hammond

1. 'Twas early in the morning by the brink of the day,
He went to this poor girl and this he did say,

2. "Oh! Polly dearest Polly you mus go with me
En before we are married, our friends to see."

3. 'Twas early in the morning by the brink of the day,
He went to this poor girl and led her astray.

4. He led her thro' woods and valleys so deep
which caused this poor girl to sigh and to weep.

5. He led her thro' woods and valleys so deep
which caused this poor girl to sigh and to say,

6. "Oh Willie, dear Willie, you've led me astray,
On purpose my hand and by body to destroy.

7. Oh! Polly, dearest Polly your words it is true
For all this long night I've been digging for you."

8. "For the grave it is open, and the spade's standing by,
On purpose to bury you, to bury you today."


9. Oh! pardon for me," poor Polly she cried
For remember dear William I'm not fit to die."

10. So quick-a-ly he stabbed her, and the blood 'gan to flow [flew][1]
And into this cold grave poor Polly he threw.

11. He covered her up so safe and secure
For thinking the murder would never be found.[2]

12. "There is murder! There is murder has lately been done!
For the ship is in mourning and will not sail on."

13. Then up steeped the captain and up stepped he,
And up stepped young William: "I'll swear it's not me."

14. So quick-a-ly he turned around, then who should he see,
For murdering the baby, the baby and she!

15 She rant him, she strant him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered the baby and she.

1, Sung "flew" to rhyme with "threw"
2. Missing the following stanza where he boards the ship