Lyrics Pretty Polly - Shirley Collins

Pretty Polly

Way down in yonder valley Pretty Polly did dwell
And she was courted by a captain who loved her so well
But when her cruel parents came thisfor to know
They parted Pretty Polly and her own true love
One night she lay musing on her bed
And a sudden strange fancy come to Polly’s head
'No father no mother shall make me forsooth
I’ll list for a soldier and follow my love'
coat and breaches she put on
And did agree she looked like a man
She went to a stable six horses she found
And saddled a mare could travel aground
And with a brace of pistols swung by her side
Like a United States soldier Pretty Polly did ride
She rode she rode and she come to the town
And there she pulled up at the sign of the crown
And the first’un she met with was an Englishman lord
And the next’un was captain Pretty Polly’s true love
What news from the country what news do you bring
She handed him a letter from Polly old dear
He opened the letter two pages he found
Saying Polly is a soldier with men all around
Now Polly did being weary she hung down her head
And she called for a candle to light her to bed
The captain said 'I've
And you may lie with me kind sir if you please'
Well to lie with a captain is to lie with a king
I’m a United States soldier from George Washington
I’ll fight for my liberty by sea and by land
If you be my captain I’ll be your
Now Polly is married she lives
She goes out when she’s ready returns when she please
She left her old parents to weep and to mourn
Saying 'Polly oh Polly when will you return?'