Peter, Paul, and Mary - Polly Von video free download


29,191
Duration: 04:11
Uploaded: 2011/08/25

Although I'm opposed to hunting in general, this song has intrigued me since the late 1970s. Polly Von (sometimes spelled Vaughn) is an Irish folk song about a young man (sometimes referred to as Johnny Randle) who is hunting at twilight and mistakes his true love, who is taking shelter from the rain, for a swan. He shoots, and discovers that he's killed Polly. He runs to tell his father (or, sometimes, "uncle") what he's done. In some versions, there is a trial, but I know of no versions that include the outcome. "Polly Von" was probably around at the time that Francis Child was collecting ballads, but is strangely missing from the Child Ballad catalog. It may, however, be connected to Laws No. 036, "Molly Bawn (Shooting of His Dear)".

Comments

9 years ago

Lisa Granik

Always the brilliant PPM...my childhood/adolescence.... I always loved this song too - perhaps as they intended it, always had me against hunting for sport.

10 years ago

David Anthony Stone

the always wonderful PP&M 

10 years ago

puffin88

In the Paul Clayton version, the big concern seems to be whether the hunter will be convicted of murder at his trial. It makes me think that the hunter intentionally killed Polly and then concocted a lame excuse about confusing her for a swan, which you have to admit is pretty far-fetched.

10 years ago

ron damico

I do not know if there has ever been any group that could come up with guitar works like these guys. I do know from experience that it takes one steel stringed guitar and a Martin nylon stringed guitar and of course a wonderful standing bass player like Dick Kniss and Bill Lee and the other man I dont't have his name at the moment. The harmonies of them are the best that has ever been.

10 years ago

Shamanka SiriusToSiberia

a ballad of the Swan Maiden. <3

10 years ago

Jon Doe

Never heard this, or another version - Tia Blake - Polly Vaughn . Tia Blake was a Ga teen who recorded a good folk album, in Paris. She then vanished, moving back to the States, where she wrote a book. The album is on youtube.

10 years ago

David Najor

This song, nearly five hundred years old is actually based upon a true story.It took place in Ireland, and it was noted down from the trial proceeding.Apparently it began to rain, and while kneeling down from behind a hill, Polly placed her apron up over her head, and the rest you know. 

10 years ago

Gael MacGregor

What a lovely video montage. I've always loved this song. Peter, Paul & Mary's version was one of the first folk tunes I learned to play on the guitar and I used to perform it regularly when I was singing on the coffee house/folk circuit during my folkie days. :)

10 years ago

musicbox193

Unless it's a trumpeter swan, they always make sounds

10 years ago

flydadj

I first heard this song in the '60's....and it still brings me to tears every time I hear it.

11 years ago

Wolfsky9

I so love, LOVE, this song, & have from the 1st time I heard it, my Senior year in high school, Fall of'63, just before 11/22. Heartbreaking & haunting. Wolfsky9, 66 y/o

11 years ago

cinrit

Thank you. :-)

12 years ago

LILLIAN GESUND

I love this song. It's so sad and so beautifully done. The harmony, as usual for Peter, Paul & Mary, is gorgeous. Lil

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