polly and harry

Polly and Harry

Polly and Harry appeared in the collections of 1871, 1886 and 1888.

I was attracted to this poem because of its structure and rhyming pattern, which is similar to one used in a number of old ballad tunes.  However, I didn't like the way it ended.  The original poem was just three verses long and ended with Polly heartbroken.  This representation of the distressed maiden seemed to me very much of its time, with its appeal to masculine sympathies, but gender politics have moved on since then.  So I decided to add a sequel - the two verses in the right-hand column are mine and I hope Joseph, who clearly had respect for women, and especially working-class women, would approve.  I also altered the words a little, to make them easier to follow on a first hearing.  The tune is reminiscent of some Northumbrian dance tunes in 19th century collections.

In Carols from the Coalfields (1886) and Carols, Songs and Ballads (1888), the poem appears as follows:

POLLY AND HARRY

Merry, lark-like, merry,
  At the break of day,
Polly meeteth Harry
  Coming down the way;
And her lips they quiver
When her eyes discover
Smiles that speak - ah never
  Peace unto the May.

Merry, blythe and merry
  'Neath the noontide ray,
Polly meeteth Harry
  Coming up the way;
And his accents put her
Fond heart in a flutter -
And no tongue can utter
  What her looks betray.

Merry, yet so merry,
  At the close of day,
Polly spyeth Harry
  Wooing Ely Gray!
And when this she spyeth
Lo! her reason dieth,
And her heart rent, cryeth
  "Woe and well-a-day"

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