Story Behind The Song

Peter, Paul and Mary cover

Song Description

Trad folk song taken from real life, so I read somewhere, the loss of a loved one in the almost dark while hunting swans....Swan were eaten at one time...

Lyrics

Polly Von

I shall tell of a hunter
whose life was undone
by the cruel hand of evil
at the setting of the sun
his arrow was loosed
and it flew through the dark
his true love was slain
as the shaft found it's mark

Refrain

She'd her apron wrapped about her
and he took her for a swan
and it's oh, and alas,
it was she Polly Von

He ran up beside her,
and found it was she,
He turned away his head
for he could not bear to see,
He lifted her up
and found she was dead,
a fountain of tears
for his true love he shed.

Refrain

He bore her away
to his home by the sea
and Father oh Father
I've murdered poor Polly
I've killed my fair love
in the flower of her life
I'd always intended
that she be my wife

Refrain

Oooooooh

He roamed near the place
where his true love was slain,
He wept bitter tears
but his cries were all in vain,
as he looked on the lake
a swan glided by
and the sun slowly sank
in the grey of the sky

Refrain

Oooooooh

and so and alas
it was she

Traditional
Lead vocal Delta Burnett Reed
Back up vocal Joe Podlesny
Musical arranger Joe Podlesny
Guitar Joe Podlesny
Keyboard Joe Podlesny