Hi,

Here's my quick transcription of the first recorded version by East Kentucky banjo player John Hammond for Gennett, April 8, 1925. He rerecorded it September 17, 1927. When Hammond identifies the location "Maryland town" the first stanza is reminiscent of "Polly's Love", the broadside. The second stanza is unique, a far as I know.

Purty Polly- sung by John Hammond, of Eastern Kentucky, 1925

Banjo intro

1. So [I] went a little bit longer, the city Maryland town,
So [I] went a little bit longer, the city Maryland town,
I met with a lady, her beauty is never found.

2. They call her Purty Polly, her name I knew so well
They call her Purty Polly her name I knew so well
I loved of her body and sent her soul to hell.

3. So where is Purty Polly? Oh yonder she stands, [bis. as before]
With the rings on her fingers, and lily-white hands.

4 Come and go my Purty Polly come go along with me,
Before we get married and pleasure to see.

5. He led her over hills and o'er valleys so deep,
Finally she mistrusted and then began to weep.

6 "Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, what makes you so sad,
With nothing concerning for you to be so mad?"

7 "Oh Willie, oh Willie I'm 'fraid of your ways,
The way you've been rambling to lead me astray."

8 "Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, your guessing just right,
I dug on your grave six long hours of last night."

9 She threw her arms around him and cried into tears,
"How can you kill a poor girl that loves you so dear?"

10. There's no time for talking, there's no time to stand,
He drew out a weapon, all in his right hand.

11. He stobbed her through the heart and that blood it did flow,
And down in the grave Purty Polly sure did go.