All ye brave huntsmen who follow the gun
Be careful when shooting at the setting of the sun
For her true love went hunting and he shot in the dark
But oh and alas Polly Vaughn was his mark.
She had her apron wrapped about her
and he took her for a swan
Oh and oh –
it was she, Polly Vaughn
So, he ran up beside her when he saw it was she
His heart it did race and his legs they grew weak
He embraced her in his arms but he found she was dead
And a fountain of tears for his true love he shed
She had her apron wrapped about her
and he took her for a swan
Oh and alas –
it was she, Polly Vaughn
Well, he picked her up and home ran he
Crying: "Father, father, I've shot fair Polly
I've shot that female in the bloom of her life
And I always wanted to make her my wife
She had her apron wrapped about her
and I took her for a swan
Oh and alas –
it was she, Polly Vaughn”
Early next morning at the first light he ran
Away from the forest and into the town
Intending to flee and desperate to leave
His hope, the country, poor broken Polly
She had her apron wrapped about her
and he took her for a swan
Oh and alas –
it was she, Polly Vaughn
But midnight, in his chamber, Polly Vaughn did appear
Crying: "Jimmy dear Jimmy you have nothing to fear
Stay in this land till your trial comes on
you shall not be punished for the killing of a swan
In the midst of the trial Polly Vaughn did appear
Crying out to everyone: " Jimmy Randall must be cleared"
All in the courtroom stood silent, froze
Polly Vaughn in the middle like a fountain of snow