Cat. #0782 (MFH #350) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on June 25, 1969
VERSE 1
In th lonesome scenes of winter
All lime frost an' snow
Dark clouds gather'n 'round me
An' th chilly wind did blow
VERSE 2
Th birds a sweetla singing
From ever bush an' vine
My love is over double
I'm sure I wish you's mine
VERSE 3
O, what must I tell Willie
When he comes home from town
Instead of me enjoying with him
Must cast on him a frown
VERSE 4
O, when she saw him coming
She trembled ever limb
There's not a boy in this wide world
Th't I love as dear as him
VERSE 5
O, what's th matter, Polly
What makes you look so sad
Have I give you any of occasion
T' cause you to be mad
VERSE 6
I'm setting by my true love
It's now th dawn of day
I'm waiting for an answer
O, love, what do you say
VERSE 7
If you must have an answer
I'll choose a single life
For I never thought it suited
For me to be your wife
VERSE 8
I'll travel this wide world over
From city t' seaport town
And perhaps I'll find some other pretty girl
That won't look so cast down
VERSE 9
Not more than three weeks later
Until her mind did change
She wrote me a letter
Saying, love I am ashamed
VERSE 10
I wrote her an answer
An' sent it in full speed
Say'in, I once't loved you dearly
Yes loved you indeed
VERSE 11
But since my mind has changed me
I look some other way
Upon a fair'yr damsel
Than you can ever be
VERSE 12
O, go home tonight love
An' live a single life
An' think how happy you could'a been
T' been a sailor's wife