Sweet Polly Oliver

Question 1

As sweet Polly Oliver lay musing in bed,

Answer 1

A sudden strange fancy came in to her head.

Question 2

A sudden strange fancy came in to her head.

Answer 2

“Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove,

Question 3

“Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove,

Answer 3

I’ll ‘list as a soldier, and follow my love.” (one full bar plus 2 beats)

Question 4

I’ll ‘list as a soldier, and follow my love.” (one full bar plus 2 beats)

Answer 4

So early next morning she softly arose,

Question 5

So early next morning she softly arose,

Answer 5

And dressed herself up in her dead brother’s clothes,

Question 6

And dressed herself up in her dead brother’s clothes,

Answer 6

She cut her hair close, and she stained her face brown,

Question 7

She cut her hair close and she stained her face brown,

Answer 7

And went for a soldier to fair London Town.
(one full bar plus 2 beats)

Question 8

And went for a soldier to fair London Town.
(one full bar plus 2 beats)

Answer 8

Then up spoke the sergeant one day at his drill.

Question 9

Then up spoke the sergeant one day at his drill.

Answer 9

“Now who’s good for nursing? A captain, he’s ill.”

Question 10

“Now who’s good for nursing? A captain, he’s ill.”

Answer 10

“I’m ready,” said Polly To nurse him she’s gone.

Question 11

“I’m ready,” said Polly To nurse him she’s gone.

Answer 11

And finds it’s her true love all wasted and wan. (two full bars plus 2 beats)

Question 12

And finds it’s her true love all wasted and wan.
(two full bars plus 2 beats)

Answer 12

The first week the doctor kept shaking his head,

Question 13

The first week the doctor kept shaking his head,

Answer 13

“No nursing, young fellow, can save him,” he said.

Question 14

“No nursing, young fellow, can save him,” he said.

Answer 14

But when Polly Oliver had nursed him back to life.

Question 15

But when Polly Oliver had nursed him back to life.

Answer 15

He cried, “You have cherished him as if you were his wife.”
(one full bar plus 2 beats)

Question 16

He cried, “You have cherished him as if you were his wife.”
(one full bar plus 2 beats)

Answer 16

O then Polly Oliver, she burst into tears

Question 17

O then Polly Oliver, she burst into tears

Answer 17

And told the good doctor her hopes and her fears

Question 18

And told the good doctor her hopes and her fears

Answer 18

And very shortly after, for better or for worse,

Question 19

And very shortly after, for better or for worse,

Answer 19

The captain took joyfully his pretty soldier nurse.