Today's unwanted epiphany

[james_davis_nicoll]

The song doesn't say Willy killed Polly. It says she fell asleep and then he buried her before riding away. She could well have been alive when he started shoveling dirt on top of her.

Comments

[jwgh]

I guess I know a different version from you? This doesn't seem too ambiguous:

Then he opened up her bosom as white as any snow
he opened up her bosom as white as any snow
he stabbed her through the heart and the blood did overflow
Oh went down to the jailhouse and what did he say 
He went down to the jailhouse and what did he say 
I've killed Pretty Polly and trying to get away 

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

She threw her arms around him and began for to weep
She threw her arms around him and began for to weep
At last Pretty Polly, she fell asleep

He threw the dirt over her, and turned away to go
Threw the dirt over her, and turned away to go
Down to the river where the deep water flow

[jwgh]

It seems an odd time for a nap.

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

Maybe Willy was into narcoleptics.

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

Debating whether Polly is dead or just resting seems an obvious segue into Monty Python...

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

Going to the jailhouse to announce that he's killed her and is trying to get away also seems like odd behaviour.

[jwgh]

You have a point. I also don't recommend telling anyone who asks about the blood that you got a bad nosebleed -- it's inventive but doesn't necessarily keep you out of jail.

But really I don't recommend any of Willy's actions. If it were me writing old murder ballads they would end up more like this:

Oh Polly, pretty Polly, let's go for a walk.
Polly, pretty Polly, let's go for a walk.
Let's go to the Starbucks, for we have to talk.

He led her on sidewalks down to the main street.
He led her on sidewalks on down to Main Street.
Then he cast down his eyes and he shuffled his feet.

Oh Willy, little Willy, I fear what is next.
Willy, little Willie, I'm afraid of what's next.
I know it's quite serious, or else you'd've just text.

Oh Polly, pretty Polly, your perception is true.
Polly, pretty Polly, your perception's quite true.
I don't think we're compatible. I'm afraid that we're through.

Oh Willy, Oh Willy, is this, then, the end?
Willy, little Willy, can this be the end?
It is, pretty Polly, but let's still be friends.

They sighed and they parted with one final look.
Yes, they sighed and they parted with a lingering look.
Then they left, only pausing to update Facebook.

Admittedly some might think that it lacks a certain something.

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

My favourite ever murder ballad:

Here's a short song about a murder
Bob's dog ate my frog - and it goes no further.

[cat-collector.livejournal.com]

Well considering saying that someone "fell asleep" is a old-time way of saying they died; I'd think it was clear he did the foul deed.

[kgbooklog.livejournal.com]

Assuming she wasn't able to dig herself out, I'd still count that as "killing her".