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Polly Oliver

xPretty Pollyx



Pretty Polly lies musing in her downy bed,

I’ll go leave my old parents which made me false prove.



I’ll go dress like a soldier,

And follow my love.



Coat, britches and jacket pretty Polly put on.

Good faith to my soul, she looked like some young man.



She went to her father’s horse stable,

Viewed the horse stable round.



At last she found one that could travel the ground.

With a case of bright pistols and a sword by her side,



And with her father’s bright gilt,

Like a troop she did ride.



She rode and she rode till she came to the town;

Right there she got down with a slight of a frown.



The first one come to her was a brave English lord,

Next one come to her was Pretty Polly’s true love.



It’s here is a letter from Polly your dear;

Look under the seal there’s a guinea to be found.



You and your horse, sir.

Pretty Polly was helped round.



Pretty Polly being drowsy, she hung down her head;

She called for a candle to light her to bed.

To bed, said the captain, here’s a bed at your ease,

You may lie with me, kind sir, if you please.



To lie with a soldier is a dangerous thing.

I am a young lord, sir, come to fight for my king.



So early next morning pretty Polly she rose,

She dressed herself in a suit of her own clotes.



Just like an Angel, downstairs she removed.

Here comes colonel Wallis your ideel true love.



Now Polly is married she lives at her ease,

She goes when she will and she comes when she please,



With a maid to wait on her whener she goes,

And her ideal true love to ride by her side.



(Edith Walker, Boone, North Carolina)

from Mora Hicks