Polly Vaughn

Traditional (1772)

"Bromberg" sessions, Acme Recording, Chicago IL - 3-5.jun.1992  

All ye brave huntsmen who follow the gun
Beware of a-shooting at the settin' of the sun
For her true love went a-huntin' and he shot in the dark
But oh and alas, Polly Vaughn was his mark.
She had her apron wrapped about her and he took her for a swan
Oh and alas, it was she, Polly Vaughn.

He ran up beside her when he found it was she
His legs they grew weak and his eyes could not see
He embraced her in his arms when he found she was dead
And a fountain of tears for his true love he shed.
For she had her apron wrapped about her and he took her for a swan
Oh an' alas, it was she, Polly Vaughn.

He took her in his arms and home ran he
Crying "Father, dear father, I've shot fair Polly
I've shot that fair female in the bloom of her life
And I always intended to make her my wife."
"For she had her apron wrapped about her and I took her for a swan
Oh and alas, it was she, Polly Vaughn."

Midnight in his chamber, Polly Vaughn did appear
Crying "Jimmy, oh Jimmy, you have nothin' to fear
Stay in your country till your trial comes on
You shall not be convicted for what you have done.
For I had my apron wrapped about me and you took me for a swan
But oh an' alas, it was I, Polly Vaughn." 

In the midst of his trial, Polly Vaughn did appear
Crying, "Uncle, dear Uncle, Jimmy Randall must be cleared."
The judge and the lawyers stood around in a row
Polly Vaughn in the middle like a fountain of snow.
She had her apron wrapped about her and he took her for a swan
Oh an' alas, it was she, Polly Vaughn.