He used to be a rambler he'd been around this town.
He used to be a rambler he'd been around this town.
He courted Pretty Polly though she'd been around.

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

So he led her over mountains and valleys so deep.
Yonder over mountains and valleys so deep.
And after a while Pretty Polly did weep.

Saying "William, sweet William I'm wary of your ways.
William, sweet William I'm wary of your ways.
I'm worried that your gonna lead this poor girl astray."

"Oh Polly, Pretty Polly your guessing about right.
Polly, Pretty Polly your guessing about right.
You see I dug the best part of your grave in the night."

Then he led her a little further and what did she spy?
Just a little further and what did she spy
But a new dug grave with a spade lying by.

Then she lay down before him pleading for her life.
Lay down before him pleading for her life.
Saying "let me stay single, I can't be your wife."

"Oh Polly, Pretty Polly that never can be.
Polly, Pretty Polly that never can be.
Your bad reputation's been trouble to me."

Then he opened up her bosom as white as any snow.
Opened up her bosom as white as any snow.
Stabbed her right through the heart, how the blood it did flow.

Then he threw the dirt around her and left in the dawn.
Threw the dirt around her and left in the dawn.
Leaving no-one but the little brown sparrows to mourn.

So stranger, dear stranger I say this to you.
Stranger, dear stranger I say this to you.
It's a terrible story but each word of it's true.