Uploaded July 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Pretty Molly / Pretty Polly / The Cruel Ship's Carpenter / The Gosport Tragedy (Roud No. 15) - Sung by blind singer and accordion player Dorman Ralph (1923-1999) of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Recorded by Peter Narvaez between February 22 and June 5, 1986. From the album "Dorman Ralph" (2001) SingSong RALPH-CD1.
Note by Kevin W.:
The tune is the ubiquitous "Vilikins and His Dinah" (Roud No. 271) but it doesn't impact the enjoyment of this splendid performance with a surprisingly full text.
This version is similar to one that was recorded from Norfolk singer Sam Larner in 1961: youtube.com/watch?v=Rsl1jEOuW9A
Song transcription:
There was a rich merchant in London did dwell,
He had but one daughter a sailor loved well,
Rich lords came to court her, but she slighted them all
She was true to her sailor, who was handsome and tall.
It was early one morning before it was day,
She heard the voice of her Willie to say,
"Arise, Pretty Polly, and come 'long with me
Before we get married our friends we shall see."
He lead her through valleys and hills that were steep,
Which caused Pretty Polly to sob and to weep,
Saying "Hard-hearted Willie, you've led me astray,
I'm afraid my poor innocent life take away."
"Oh, yes, Pretty Polly, it is right what you said,
I'd been all the long night a-digging your grave"
Now her grave laying open with she standing by,
Which caused Pretty Polly to sob and to cry.
"No pardon, no pardon, no time for to stand,"
As Willie was taking his knife in his hand.
He stuck her, he stabbed her, till her heart's blood did flow
And it's down in the grave her dead body he'd thrown.
He covered her over with sticks and small stones,
So that nothing could find her but small birds alone,
He joined a large vessel to sail the world around,
Not thinking the murder would ever be found.
We had a chief steward his courage were bold,
He'd been late last night going through the ship's hold.
When a fair pretty damsel to him did appear,
And she held in her arms an infant so dear.
Our cook he felt groggy, he went to embrace,
The joy and affliction she held in her face.
But to his amazement she vanished away,
And it's straight to the captain without no delay.
"There's a murder on bord, sir, it have lately been done,
Our ship lays in mourning, she can't sail along."
The captain did summon this jolly ship's crew,
"I'm thinking my sailors it is one of you."
"Now if he is here, the truth he denies,
We will hang him right up to the yard arm so high,
But if he confesses, his life we won't take,
We will hand him safe unto fair silent we make.
Up speaks the first fellow, "I'm sure it's not me"
And up speaks another, the same he did say,
And up jumped John Willie, with a curse and a swear,
"I'm sure it's not me, sir, I vow and declare".
As Willie returned from the cabin with speed,
He met Pretty Polly which made his heart bleed,
She ripped him, she stripped him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
Then she went to the captain without no delay,
"Now I have taken the murderer away,
May the great god protect you and keep you all free
And send you back safe to your own counterie".
Pretty Molly / Pretty Polly / The Cruel Ship's Carpenter / The Gosport Tragedy (Roud No. 15) - Sung by blind singer and accordion player Dorman Ralph (1923-1999) of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Recorded by Peter Narvaez between February 22 and June 5, 1986. From the album "Dorman Ralph" (2001) SingSong RALPH-CD1.
Note by Kevin W.:
The tune is the ubiquitous "Vilikins and His Dinah" (Roud No. 271) but it doesn't impact the enjoyment of this splendid performance with a surprisingly full text.
This version is similar to one that was recorded from Norfolk singer Sam Larner in 1961: youtube.com/watch?v=Rsl1jEOuW9A
Song transcription:
There was a rich merchant in London did dwell,
He had but one daughter a sailor loved well,
Rich lords came to court her, but she slighted them all
She was true to her sailor, who was handsome and tall.
It was early one morning before it was day,
She heard the voice of her Willie to say,
"Arise, Pretty Polly, and come 'long with me
Before we get married our friends we shall see."
He lead her through valleys and hills that were steep,
Which caused Pretty Polly to sob and to weep,
Saying "Hard-hearted Willie, you've led me astray,
I'm afraid my poor innocent life take away."
"Oh, yes, Pretty Polly, it is right what you said,
I'd been all the long night a-digging your grave"
Now her grave laying open with she standing by,
Which caused Pretty Polly to sob and to cry.
"No pardon, no pardon, no time for to stand,"
As Willie was taking his knife in his hand.
He stuck her, he stabbed her, till her heart's blood did flow
And it's down in the grave her dead body he'd thrown.
He covered her over with sticks and small stones,
So that nothing could find her but small birds alone,
He joined a large vessel to sail the world around,
Not thinking the murder would ever be found.
We had a chief steward his courage were bold,
He'd been late last night going through the ship's hold.
When a fair pretty damsel to him did appear,
And she held in her arms an infant so dear.
Our cook he felt groggy, he went to embrace,
The joy and affliction she held in her face.
But to his amazement she vanished away,
And it's straight to the captain without no delay.
"There's a murder on bord, sir, it have lately been done,
Our ship lays in mourning, she can't sail along."
The captain did summon this jolly ship's crew,
"I'm thinking my sailors it is one of you."
"Now if he is here, the truth he denies,
We will hang him right up to the yard arm so high,
But if he confesses, his life we won't take,
We will hand him safe unto fair silent we make.
Up speaks the first fellow, "I'm sure it's not me"
And up speaks another, the same he did say,
And up jumped John Willie, with a curse and a swear,
"I'm sure it's not me, sir, I vow and declare".
As Willie returned from the cabin with speed,
He met Pretty Polly which made his heart bleed,
She ripped him, she stripped him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
Then she went to the captain without no delay,
"Now I have taken the murderer away,
May the great god protect you and keep you all free
And send you back safe to your own counterie".
