Polly Oliver

Polly Oliver’s Ramble.

One night as Polly Oliver lay musing on her bed,
A comical fancy came into her head,
Neither father or mother shall make me false prove,
I’ll list for a soldier and follow my love.
Early the next morning this fair maid arose,
She dressed herself in a man’s suit of clothes
Coat, waistcoat, and breeches and sword by her side,
On her father’s black gelding like a dragoon did ride.
She rode till she came to fair London town,
She dismounted her horse at the sign of the Crown,
The first that came down was a man from above,
The next that came down was Polly Oliver’s love.
Good evening, good evening, kind captain said she,
Here’s a letter from your true love, Polly Oliver, said she,
He opened a letter and a guinea there was found,
For you and your companions to drink her health round.
Supper being ended she held down her head,
And called for a candle to light her to bed,
The captain made this reply, I have a bed at my ease,
You may lie with me countryman if you please.
To lie with a captain is a dangerous thing,
I am a new enlisted soldier to fight for our king,
To fight for our king by sea and by land,
Since you are my captain I’ll be at your command.
Early the next morning this fair maid arose,
And drest herself in her own suit of clothes,
And down stairs she came from the chamber above.
Saying here is Polly Oliver your own true love
He at first was surprised, then laughed at the fun,
And then they were marry’d and things were all done,
If I laid with you the first night, the fault it was mine,
I hope to please you better love for now it is my time.

Pitts, Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, Great St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials.

*Transcriber’s note: Dugaw’s catalogue contains multiple variants of this ballad; this is the first of the variants listed. To review other variants of this ballad, please consult the Dugaw catalogue.

BBO Roud Number: 367

ESTC Citation Number: T300148