“Polly Oliver (Pretty Polly)”

Description

Polly loves a sea captain; her parents do not. She dresses as a man and follows her love. Still in disguise, she meets him at an inn. The captain wishes to sleep with her; she refuses, but appears the next day in her own clothes. The two are wed

Broadsides

• Bodleian, Harding B 17(240b), "Polly Oliver's Ramble," J. Pitts (London), 1802-1819; also Harding B 17(241b), Harding B 16(205d), Harding B 11(3147), Harding B 25(1518)[some lines illegible], "Polly Oliver's Ramble"; Harding B 28(238), "Polly Oliver"; Harding B 17(241a), Harding B 16(206b), Harding B 15(241a), Harding B 15(241b), Firth c.26(50), 2806 c.17(337)[words missing], 2806 b.11(260), 2806 c.16(61), Firth c.14(169), Harding B 16(206a), 2806 c.14(10)[many illegible words], Harding B 15(240b), "Polly Oliver's Rambles"

Recordings

• Ollie Gilbert, "Pretty Polly Oliver" (on LomaxCD1707)

References

1. Laws N14, "Polly Oliver (Pretty Polly)"
2. Belden, pp. 183-185, "Polly Oliver" (2 texts)
3. Friedman, p. 145, "Polly Oliver's Rambles" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. SHenry H166, pp. 328-329, "Lovely Annie (II)" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. JHCox 122, "Pretty Polly" (1 text)
6. Linscott, pp. 273-274, "Polly Oliver" (1 short text, 1 tune, ending with the meeting in the inn)
7. BrownII 97, "Polly Oliver" (1 text)
8. Gardner/Chickering 60, "Pretty Polly Oliver" (1 text plus mention of 1 more)
9. Creighton/Senior, pp. 195-198, "Pretty Polly" (2 texts, 2 tunes)
10. Greenleaf/Mansfield 23, "Polly Oliver" (2 texts, 2 tunes)
11. Peacock, pp. 344-345, "Polly Oliver" (1 text, 1 tune)
12. Leach-Labrador 28, "Polly Oliver" (1 text, 1 tune)
13. Mackenzie 55, "Polly Oliver" (1 text)
14. SharpAp 54, "Polly Oliver" (3 texts, 3 tunes)
15. Chappell/Wooldridge II, p. 181, "Pretty Polly Oliver" (1 tune, probably of this piece though the text is lacking)
16. BBI, ZN2180, "One night as Polly Oliver lay musing on her bed"
17. DT 446, POLLOLVR*
18. Roud #367
19. BI, LN14