I love Murdered Girl Ballads

Pretty Polly

There used to be a gambler who courted all around
There used to be a gambler who courted all around
He courted Pretty Polly, such beauty never been found.

"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, come go along with me,
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, come go along with me,
Before we get married some pleasures to see."

She jumped up behind him and away they did go,
She jumped up behind him and away they did go,
Down into the valley there was far below.

They went a little further and what did they spy?
They went a little further and what did they spy?
A newly dug grave with a spade lying by.

"Oh Willy, hey Willy, I'm afraid of your ways
Oh Willy, hey Willy, I'm afraid of your ways
I'm afraid you will lead my poor body astray."

"Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you guessed it just right
Pretty Polly, Pretty Polly, you guessed it just right
I dug all your grave the better part your life."

Then he stabbed her in her heart till her heart's blood did flow
He stabbed her in her heart till her heart's blood did flow
Down into the grave Pretty Polly did go.

He threw a little dirt over her and started for home,
He threw a little dirt over her and started for home,
Leaving nobody there but the wild birds to moan.

Now a debt to the devil that Willy must pay
A debt to the devil that Willy must pay
For killing Pretty Polly and running away.

* * * * * *

With Murdered Girl Ballads, there is a very specific formula that must be followed. You'll see it in nearly every one.

First, you've got a beautiful girl who has given away her virginity. It's not always stated but it's always implied. Even if it's not implied, it's understood. It's a Murdered Girl Ballad.

Second, this rogue who has talked her out of her virginity convinces her to go away somewhere with him to talk about wedding plans. She of course aquieces because now that her virginity's gone, marriage is obviously in order.

Thirdly, once they are far out of town the girl realizes he's meaning to kill her. She must always plead for mercy. She never fights back or kicks him in the balls. No, just pleads for mercy.

Fourthly, mercy is never given. Instead some horrific murder ensues. Often with incredible creativity does the murderer kill his girl. In my favorite one, the man not only stabs her but spins her around by her hair and then throws her into the river. Poor dumb girl.

At the end of a Murdered Girl Ballad the killer may or may not get caught. There is flexibility here.

I love Murdered Girl Ballads.