Let's look at a couple versions and see if we can draw any conclusions. Broadside types will be:
1) Type Aa, the Roxburghe broadside printed between 1720 (British Library) and 1750 (Roxburghe- Ebsworth) by the printer John Cluer (before 1727), or , Elizabeth Cluer (from 1727 when John Cluer died to 1736 when William Dicey, her brother took over) or William Dicey (from 1736 to 1750)
2) Type Ba, The Deming Broadside printed circa 1835 in Boston by the printer Leonard Deming. In some cases the ballad may be associated to both broadsides or a third broadside called,
3) Type Ca, known as "Polly's Love" printed c. 1820 in the British Isles.
These types will be found at the end of each stanza in brackets [type ]
"Pretty Polly"- as performed by Din Dobbin of St. Vincent's, NL, 1951
(Beginning of song missing)
_________ before we get married our friends to go see [standard]
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 [type Ca]
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 [type Ca]
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 [type Ca]
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 [type Ca]
He covered her over well safe and so sound Not thinking this murder would ever be found [type Ca] On board of the Bedford he entered straightway His lofty ship lay in Portsmouth bound out on the sea [type Aa]
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 [type Aa]
He bein' merry in liquor he thought to embrace Wit' transports of joy 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 [type Ba]
Our Captain soon summonsed our jolly ships crew And said my dear sailors I fear one of you Have murdered some fair one before ye came 'way And now she is haunting us here on the sea [type Ba]
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 [type Ca]
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 [type Ba]
Young Willie he quickly fell on his knees The blood in his face did immediately freeze God help me God help me for what I have done God help me I fear my poor soul it's undone [type Ba]
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 [type Ca]
Turning round to the crew these words she did say Now since I have taken this murder away Good luck may attend you and you all agree And send you safe home to your own counteree [not in broadsides]
We can see that this version, collected in a emote area in Newfoundland, have stanzas from all three broadsides. The name "Pretty Polly" is from type Ca.
What conclusion can we draw from this ballad? Why are there stanzas from three different broadsides in one ballad?