Vandaveer - Pretty Polly

Vandaveer performs "Pretty Polly" at WNRN in Charlottesville, Virginia. Please subscribe to our videos!

[missmymountain]

This is a traditional song that goes back a long way. It's one of those old standards I grew up listening and strumming to on Saturday nights in WV. It's been done many different ways by many different people. Great version here agreed.

[Mikeidris]

Wow, Amazing song. Both of their voices are amazing and the guitar sounds so cool.

[unlogikz]

god damn this is what i´ve been looking for, kevin spacey brought me here

[bezzarguy]

Thank you! After doing a little research, it's from the 1800s. I love this WKRN (I'm in Ca.) i discover so much new music!

[justingriffiths]

According to The Penguin American Folk Music Book it derives from the English 'Gosport Tragedy' which ran to 30 odd stanza's! and was originally published in 1750.

[bezzarguy]

Is this an original song? Haunting, moving, sounds like it could have been written 150 yrs ago.

[dimpstyler]

Anyone know the tuning for the slide guitar? I know the chords for this song is Gm-Bflat-C... but Im new to slide guitar and cant figure out what tuning they are using for this

[ChuckDeFuque]

Oh Polly, dear Polly, come, go along with me
Polly, pretty Polly, come, go along with me
Before we get married some pleasures to see

Willie, oh Willie, I'm afraid of your ways
Willie, oh Willie, I'm afraid of your way
I'm afraid you will lead my poor body astray

Oh Polly, dear Polly, you're guessing 'bout right
Polly, pretty Polly, you're guessing just about right
I dug on your grave the best part of the night

They went a few steps further and what did she spot?
Went a few steps further and what did she spy?
But a new dug grave and a spade lying by


He stabbed her in her heart and her heart's blood did flow
He stabbed her in her heart and her heart's blood did flow
And into the grave pretty Polly did go

Oh, gentlemen and ladies, I bid you farewell
Gentlemen and ladies, I bid you farewell
For killing pretty Polly my soul will go to hell.

It's a debt to the devil poor Willie must pay
It's a debt to the devil poor Willie must pay
For killing pretty Polly and running away.