X:1
T:Polly Oliver
B:Singing Together, Spring 1975, BBC Publications
F:http://www.folkinfo.org/songs
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L:1/8     %
K:Eb
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w:As sweet Pol-ly O-li-ver lay mus--ing in bed,
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w:A sud-den strange fan--cy came_ in-to her head;
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w: "Nor fa--ther nor mo-ther_ shall_ make me false prove!
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w: I'll 'list for a sol--dier and fol--low my love!"
W:As sweet Polly Oliver lay musing in bed,
W:A sudden strange fancy came into her head;
W:"Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove!
W:I'll 'list for a soldier and follow my love!"
W:
W:So early next morning she softly arose,
W:And dressed herself up in her dead brother's clothes;
W:She cut her hair close and she stained her face brown,
W:And went for a soldier to fair London Town.
W:
W:Then up spake the sergeant one day at his drill:
W:"Now who's good at nursing? a captain lies ill!"
W:"I'm ready," says Polly; to nurse him she's gone,
W:And finds 'tis her true love all wasted and wan.
W:
W:The first week the doctor kept shaking his head;
W:"No nursing, young fellow, can save him," he said,
W:But when Polly Oliver has nursed back his life,
W:He cried, "You have cherished as if you were his wife!"
W:
W:On then Polly Oliver she burst into tears,
W:And told the good doctor her hopes and her fears;
W:And very soon after, for better for worse,
W:The Captain took joyfully his pretty soldier nurse!"