Lyrics
There used to be a gambler who courted all around
Introduction of a gambler who courted widely
There used to be a gambler who courted all around
Repetition, emphasizing the gambler's behavior
He courted pretty Polly, such a beauty never been found
Gambler courts a beautiful woman named Polly
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
Gambler invites Polly to accompany him
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come go long with me
Repetition, insistence on Polly joining him
Before we get married, some pleasures to see
Gambler suggests exploring pleasures before marriage
She jumped up behind him and 'way they did go
Polly joins the gambler on a journey
She jumped up behind him and 'way they did go
Repetition, describing their departure
Down into the valley that was far below
They descend into a valley
They went a little further and what did they spot
Continuation of their journey
They went a little further and what did they spot
Repetition, highlighting progression
But a newly dug grave with a spade lying by
They discover a freshly dug grave with a spade nearby
Oh, Willy, oh, Willy, I'm afraid of your ways
Polly expresses fear of the gambler's intentions
Oh, Willy, oh, Willy, I'm afraid of your ways
Repetition of Polly's fear
I'm afraid you will lead my poor body astray
Polly is concerned about being led astray
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, you guessed it just right
Gambler confirms Polly's fear, implying ill intentions
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, you guessed it just right
Repetition, emphasizing the confirmation
I dug all your grave the better part of last night
Gambler admits to digging Polly's grave the previous night
Then he stabbed her in her heart 'till her heart's blood did flow
Gambler fatally stabs Polly in the heart
He stabbed her in her heart 'till her heart's blood did flow
Repetition, describing the violent act
Down into the grave pretty Polly did go
Polly is placed in the grave after being killed
Now a debt to the devil, that Willy must pay
Gambler acknowledges a debt to the devil for the crime
A debt to the devil, that Willy must pay
Repetition of the debt to the devil
For killing pretty Polly and running away
Gambler acknowledges responsibility for killing Polly and fleeing
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