Tag: Ballad

William and Polly*

Sweet William went to Polly,

To give her to understand,

That he had to go and leave her,

To go to a foreign land.

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O stay at home, Sweet William,

O stay at home, said she,

O stay at home, Sweet William,

And do not go to sea.

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My king doth give command, my love,

And I am bound to go;

And if it were to save my life,

I dare not answer No.

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My yellow hair I wll cut off,

Men’s clothing I’ll put on;

Like a true and faithful servant,

It’s you I’ll wait upon.

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The men do lie a-bleeding there,

The bullets swiftly fly,

And the silver trumpets a-sounding,

To drown the dismal cry.

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O tell me not of danger,

For God will be my guide;

And I value not no danger,

When William’s by my side.

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O Polly, dearest Polly,

These words have gained my heart,

And we will have a wedding,

Before we ever part.

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This couple they got married,

And William’s gone to sea,

And Polly she’s a waiting,

All in their own country.

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*“William and Polly” text from book titled “80 Appalachian Folk Songs” collected by Cecil Sharp & Maud Karpeles, 1968. Chord progression transposed and loosely based on guitar accompaniment notation.