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This tune was printed as a broadside circa 1840. Chappell (who wrote Popular Music of the Olden Time, 1859), wrote that this was an old ballad still in print as Polly Oliver's Ramble.
There is a longer version of lyrics at Digital Tradition (search for Polly Oliver). According to Sam Henry this is a variant of a song he collected Lady Annie which dates to circa 1815. (The words are very similar to the Digital Tradition version.) Other variants and alternate titles include: Pretty Polly (Like a Trooper Did Ride), Billy Oliver's Rambles, The Maids Resolution to Follow Her Love and Young William. There is "an old song" using the same tune that is a parody of the Old Pretender (see Jacobite links below): As Perkin one morning lay musing in bed (Perkin was a nickname used for The Old Pretender in the 1715 Uprising.) |
As pretty Polly Oliver Sat musing, 'tis said, A comical fancy Came into her head; Nor father nor mother Shall make me false prove, I'll list for a soldier And follow my love. So in soldier's attire To the wars she went out, And bore a brave part In both raid and in rout; In the battle she found him Slightly wounded and low On the ground where he lay With his face to the foe. Now Polly he knew In a moment's quick glance, And he cried, Why my dear, Sure I've met you in France; But the lass she said, nay, He was surely mistook, But her words were belied By the love in her look. The sergeant sent for The parson to come, And couple the lovers Who'd follow'd the drum; And Polly, restored to Her womanly state, Found all she had sought In a home and a mate. |
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From
One Hundred Songs of England and Sam Henry's Songs of the People See Bibliography for full information. |