Pretty Polly (Oliver)

Way down in the lone Valley pretty Polly did well
She was courted by a captain who lov-ed her well
Her father and mother came this for to know
And they parted pretty Polly and her own true love

One night she lay musing on the bed
A very strange notion ran through Polly's head
She went to the stable and viewed at all around
And picked out a horse that could travel the ground

The next a waistcoat she put on
And in every degree she appeared like a man
With a brace and a pistol swung down by her side
Like the United States soldier pretty Polly did ride

She rode, she rode till she came to the town
And there she put up by the sign of the crown
The first that she met was an English young Lord
The next was a captain, pretty Polly's true love

What news from the country, what news to I hear?
She handed him a letter from Polly his dear
He opened a letter, ten guineas he found
Saying Polly is a soldier with the men all around

Pretty Polly being weary, she hung down her head
She's called for a candle to light her to bed
The captain said sir I've a bed at my ease
And you may lie with me kind sir if you please

To lie with a captain is to lie with a king
I'm a United States soldier, from George Washington I came
I'll fight for my liberty on sea and on land
Since you are my captain I'm at your command

Pretty Polly is married, she lives at her ease
She goes when she likes, comes home when she please
She left her own parents to sigh and to mourn
Crying Polly O Polly, when will you return?

From Rita Byxbe, who sings it great!