Clifton I got to say the truth you and Dock Boggs are my favorite banjoists cause in essence you both play as I do in that you both focus heavily upon the melody of tune I do the same in my singing and playing. Keep you rolling on sir!
My old friend Bill Carter used to sing this and many others that he could remember while we stayed in the Patrick County Jail in VA. Wearing black and white stripes , in an old run down jail, cold steel bars and the air warmed every evening by Bill after lights went out . Heritage lives on
Most of my family is from WV. I grew up hearing the songs & loving the banjos. You did a great job. Think few understand the rich culture & resilience outside of the area. The Appalachian mountains to Shenandoah valley have my heart no matter where I roam. The Rockies here in Colorado do not compare.
Back in the day, I guess they didn't have horror movies, they had horror musical performances, probably around a dark hearth or campfire....this version gives me little chills.
@@bryanwilliams5919 I don't know about rap music but I think these songs were written as warnings to young women to be careful about being taken in by a charmer
Who's worse? Willy, for killing Polly, or the six people who dislike this video? At least Willy could blame a broken heart. What's their deal? Seriously, awesome job! I really enjoyed it.
Hicks name is a famous name, and it goes back along way in history of music players. I wonder if Clifton Hicks is related to the other banjo players in history in his part of the woods..😊😊😊😊😊😊
I just walked out of the hospital in north GA this morning. I had been metal detecting battlefields all night and what not but this song was in my head with your voice before I tore out of that hospital. Trying to get back home now to Cleburne Alabama with this song blasting
I gotta give you thanks my man. Picked up a 5 string after falling in love with it at a folk music store. I grew up a bass player/drummer. The banjo felt like both. And you, sir, pushed my inspirado. Again, thank you, fellow man. 👍
Man this is the goods right here! My favorite style of banjo you play. You can tune a regular guitar like a banjo as well. The 2nd - 5th strings are like the 4 main strings on a banjo and the low and High strings are like drone strings. DADF# AD would be like regular banjo tuning with same chords as played on banjo. DADGAD would be sawmill. DADFAD would be Minor tuning. Hard to get a great sound with right hand two finger though but alternating fingerpicking with thumb lead really works and sounds great. Excellent performance, one of my favorite murder ballads.
Oh way back in England lady did dwell Way back in England Lady did dwell Her name was pretty polly was I loved her so well Polly, pretty polly over yonder she stands x2 With gold rings on her fingers and lily white hands Polly, pretty Polly come take me in kind x2 Let me sit down beside you, I tell you my mind My mind is to marry and never to part x2 Lord the first time I saw you, you wounded my heart Polly, pretty polly come go along with me x2 Lord before we get married, some pleasure to see He took her over mountains and valleys so deep Took her over mountains and valleys so deep At length Pretty Polly, Lord she begin to weep Saying Willy, oh dear willy, I'm afeared of your ways Willy, oh dear willy, I'm feared of your ways I fear you will lead my poor body astray He took her over mountains and valleys so deep Took her over mountains and valleys so deep At length Pretty Polly, she begin to weep Saying Willy, oh dear willy, I'm feared of your ways Willy, oh dear willy, I'm feared of your ways I fear you will lead my poor body astray They went on a piece farther and what did they spy went on a piece farther and what did they spy But a newly dug grave with a spade lying by Polly, pretty polly you guess just bout right x2 Lord I dug on your grave the best part of last night She fell to her knees and she pleaded for her life fell to her knees and she pleaded for her life Saying let me go abegging if I cannot be your wife But he stabbed her through the heat and heart's blood did flow stabbed her through the hear and heart's blood did flow And down in the grave Pretty Polly did go He threw a little dirt over her and started for home He rolled the cold clay over her and started for home Leaving nothing behind but the wild birds to moan It's a debt to the devil poor willy must pay debt to the devil willy must pay For akilling pretty polly and running away
Awesome job Mr Hicks at capturing that haunted tone of yrs gone by. Quite different from the 3 finger rolls of traditional Scruggs. Perfect for the open back Vega I believe?
Thanks brotha. You're really helping me learn this banjo well. Love the sad dark old songs. Im still trying to figure out what you do with your index, But I will ! Best banjo on youtube
Its a very nice tune. I am learning 2 finger style. I love the sound of banjo. I heard another version of this song lyrics which I liked even more, but no idea which version it was. There was no knife involved , and it felt more open. She fell into his arms or something like that instead, but I enjoy the story telling. This guy was very troubled.
Looking back through some of your videos l love your gaourd garden .Alsoplus you suit the beard .l love your shedversionof this and 9 years ago too One month ago I discovered this with you ,poorwilly debt to the devil hey want to be played your version of cold wind blows as my funeral wishes Listening and learning everyday onutubtoyouand Aaron Stephens
I wish I had a harder break in my voice like that, it sounds really cool! Is there a way to learn it or develop it, or is it mostly natural like how deep or high someone's voice is?
Nice !! But this is a non banjo question more curiosity than anything!!! What's the bricks for on the woodstove? Noticed them in several of your videos !!! Remember seeing that on my greatgrandfathers farm back in the day when I was 4-7 years old
Jimmy, the bricks are useful in a few ways: 1 if you have a pot of water steaming on the stove to help humidify the house and it keeps boiling over you lay a brick under it--that keeps the water steaming but not boiling 2: bricks retain heat for a much longer time than iron and, in theory, help keep the house a tad warmer 3: on especially cold nights my female companion has me wrap a hot brick inside a thick towel and place it in the bed at her feet...
@@CliftonHicksbanjo My female companion also liked to do the same thing, but what i dont git is what upset my wife so much when she found out about her prefernce!!??...
Great Job! That is the best version of Pretty Polly. I know you like to tune down when you play. What tuning are you using on this one? Thanks for all the posts. Loving it man.
Well hell we all are in the only place in the cosmos where we can eat a cracker while sub merged completely in water. I do like the hum idity. "A ditty" 🙀🐝 Such privilege God has made we equality, the throne shared all round with all. 🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽
If you're interested in the banjo and its history, consider supporting this project at Patreon.com/CliftonHicks
Clifton I got to say the truth you and Dock Boggs are my favorite banjoists cause in essence you both play as I do in that you both focus heavily upon the melody of tune I do the same in my singing and playing. Keep you rolling on sir!
I'm interested in buying one of your custom made banjos.
My old friend Bill Carter used to sing this and many others that he could remember while we stayed in the Patrick County Jail in VA. Wearing black and white stripes , in an old run down jail, cold steel bars and the air warmed every evening by Bill after lights went out . Heritage lives on
What were y’all in jail for? If that’s the same Bill Carter I’m thinking of I remember him playing his guitar at Boy Scout meetings when I was a kid.
I won’t put Bills business out there but I was there for being a mountain runnin hellian 🥸
Your music is bringing me such comfort right now with my dad dying Clifton, thank you, you are awesome.
You are a blessing to us all Mr Hicks. I'm glad of it you was borned.
8 and a half minutes of Pretty Polly by this dude? I'll take it any day.
😊❤😅🎉
Thank you for the depth and emotion 😢I love this I'm entwined into the lyrics somehow still trying to learn the singing part only
Most of my family is from WV. I grew up hearing the songs & loving the banjos. You did a great job. Think few understand the rich culture & resilience outside of the area. The Appalachian mountains to Shenandoah valley have my heart no matter where I roam. The Rockies here in Colorado do not compare.
@zesty aqua They may have valleys out that way but they’ll never have the holler.
This is one of the purest versions I've ever heard of Pretty Polly. Just clean, pure and soulful. Thank you.
You've certainty mastered playing this song .
I've noticed this is 3 years old or maybe more and it kills me that they ain't more likes for this old time cool ass musician
WOW, great music, very well done..😊😊
Back in the day, I guess they didn't have horror movies, they had horror musical performances, probably around a dark hearth or campfire....this version gives me little chills.
Yes!
Then modern rap music should tarify you to the done. Same subject matter. This is where that came from.
@@bryanwilliams5919 I don't know about rap music but I think these songs were written as warnings to young women to be careful about being taken in by a charmer
Greetings from England 🇬🇧, I just love this sound more and more !
Who's worse? Willy, for killing Polly, or the six people who dislike this video? At least Willy could blame a broken heart. What's their deal? Seriously, awesome job! I really enjoyed it.
Hicks name is a famous name, and it goes back along way in history of music players.
I wonder if Clifton Hicks is related to the other banjo players in history in his part of the woods..😊😊😊😊😊😊
You are a bad ass musician!!! Love your music!!!
I think this is now my favorite banjo song. Period.
I just walked out of the hospital in north GA this morning. I had been metal detecting battlefields all night and what not but this song was in my head with your voice before I tore out of that hospital. Trying to get back home now to Cleburne Alabama with this song blasting
Bluesfolk master 🎉😢
I gotta give you thanks my man. Picked up a 5 string after falling in love with it at a folk music store. I grew up a bass player/drummer. The banjo felt like both. And you, sir, pushed my inspirado. Again, thank you, fellow man. 👍
Stunning - what a beautiful voice and the banjo is is the best. You are a great talent.
If youd like need a harmonica,drums and bass one day. Maybe you should come jam in the ZIGMOG ROOM. Dreams do come true. Great work it is EPIC.
I used to skip past this tune as it was too black. Now, I can't get enough of it. Strange.
Very cooooooooool. Love it.
Iv always loved the lyrics in this song its been one of my favorite oldtime tunes
Man this is the goods right here! My favorite style of banjo you play. You can tune a regular guitar like a banjo as well. The 2nd - 5th strings are like the 4 main strings on a banjo and the low and High strings are like drone strings. DADF# AD would be like regular banjo tuning with same chords as played on banjo. DADGAD would be sawmill. DADFAD would be Minor tuning. Hard to get a great sound with right hand two finger though but alternating fingerpicking with thumb lead really works and sounds great. Excellent performance, one of my favorite murder ballads.
Yes!
Hell yes, best version since Doc Boggs!!!
Oh way back in England lady did dwell
Way back in England Lady did dwell
Her name was pretty polly was I loved her so well
Polly, pretty polly over yonder she stands x2
With gold rings on her fingers and lily white hands
Polly, pretty Polly come take me in kind x2
Let me sit down beside you, I tell you my mind
My mind is to marry and never to part x2
Lord the first time I saw you, you wounded my heart
Polly, pretty polly come go along with me x2
Lord before we get married, some pleasure to see
He took her over mountains and valleys so deep
Took her over mountains and valleys so deep
At length Pretty Polly, Lord she begin to weep
Saying Willy, oh dear willy, I'm afeared of your ways
Willy, oh dear willy, I'm feared of your ways
I fear you will lead my poor body astray
He took her over mountains and valleys so deep
Took her over mountains and valleys so deep
At length Pretty Polly, she begin to weep
Saying Willy, oh dear willy, I'm feared of your ways
Willy, oh dear willy, I'm feared of your ways
I fear you will lead my poor body astray
They went on a piece farther and what did they spy
went on a piece farther and what did they spy
But a newly dug grave with a spade lying by
Polly, pretty polly you guess just bout right x2
Lord I dug on your grave the best part of last night
She fell to her knees and she pleaded for her life
fell to her knees and she pleaded for her life
Saying let me go abegging if I cannot be your wife
But he stabbed her through the heat and heart's blood did flow
stabbed her through the hear and heart's blood did flow
And down in the grave Pretty Polly did go
He threw a little dirt over her and started for home
He rolled the cold clay over her and started for home
Leaving nothing behind but the wild birds to moan
It's a debt to the devil poor willy must pay
debt to the devil willy must pay
For akilling pretty polly and running away
I could listen to you all day.. I am a fellow musician and I like your playing and singing style' You have a new fan in me...
Chillbumps.
This sounds so ancient and yet familiar, and I couldn't put my finger on it until I realised it was used for Hollis Brown!
Oh I like the vocal inflections, so nice! 💚 I’d definitely hang out, sit on a wood bucket, and bring potato salad! 😄 👍🏾
I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, hot damn!!! So cool
My new favorite song! 💥🤛✌
Great. As always. Thanks you sir
Just
so
damn
good
Killer tune ;)
Awesome job Mr Hicks at capturing that haunted tone of yrs gone by. Quite different from the 3 finger rolls of traditional Scruggs. Perfect for the open back Vega I believe?
Brilliant thank you .
you made my dog howl.
Thanks brotha. You're really helping me learn this banjo well. Love the sad dark old songs. Im still trying to figure out what you do with your index, But I will ! Best banjo on youtube
Truly haunting.
Its a very nice tune. I am learning 2 finger style. I love the sound of banjo. I heard another version of this song lyrics which I liked even more, but no idea which version it was. There was no knife involved , and it felt more open. She fell into his arms or something like that instead, but I enjoy the story telling. This guy was very troubled.
You tell it well, sadly enough
Sweet job
nice , thanx
RJ
Damn I felt that... Lookin for a Banjo Ole Boy. Save few more Yankee dollars. I'll have me one. 🤘
✌🏽
AWESOME VIDEO Brother !!!!!!!! Your voice is like no other made my day .
well do. gonna get me some more. thanks.
Hell yeah
Looking back through some of your videos l love your gaourd garden .Alsoplus you suit the beard .l love your shedversionof this and 9 years ago too
One month ago I discovered this with you ,poorwilly debt to the devil hey want to be played your version of cold wind blows as my funeral wishes
Listening and learning everyday onutubtoyouand Aaron Stephens
Please let this be
I wish I had a harder break in my voice like that, it sounds really cool! Is there a way to learn it or develop it, or is it mostly natural like how deep or high someone's voice is?
Nice !! But this is a non banjo question more curiosity than anything!!! What's the bricks for on the woodstove? Noticed them in several of your videos !!! Remember seeing that on my greatgrandfathers farm back in the day when I was 4-7 years old
Jimmy, the bricks are useful in a few ways: 1 if you have a pot of water steaming on the stove to help humidify the house and it keeps boiling over you lay a brick under it--that keeps the water steaming but not boiling 2: bricks retain heat for a much longer time than iron and, in theory, help keep the house a tad warmer 3: on especially cold nights my female companion has me wrap a hot brick inside a thick towel and place it in the bed at her feet...
Clifton Hicks thank you for the information!!!
@@CliftonHicksbanjo My female companion also liked to do the same thing, but what i dont git is what upset my wife so much when she found out about her prefernce!!??...
😮
Clifton have you ever heard Polly Von by Peter Paul and Mary? It's on you tube too. I would love to hear your version of it.
mighty fine version on the Mexico album, though this one is a little more intense
Great Job! That is the best version of Pretty Polly. I know you like to tune down when you play. What tuning are you using on this one? Thanks for all the posts. Loving it man.
Thanks, Thomas. My exact tuning here is probably fCFB♭C
The best 😊
Hm.. Seems he got out early and ended up on the banks of the Ohio
fluttering eyes
You are a beaut
Me and my brothers have got to come visit you out of South Carolina. We are cut from the same cloth. PM me if you have the time. Much appreciated?
😮how long have you sung this please I really love its richness and depth and I understand the origins now
I learned that when I was 14 or 15. Am now 38.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Thanks for your reply,I'm almost 47 in June ☀
Well hell we all are in the only place in the cosmos where we can eat a cracker while sub merged completely in water.
I do like the hum idity. "A ditty" 🙀🐝
Such privilege God has made we equality, the throne shared all round with all.
🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽
This one toos
Love this channel! Is this a cello banjo by chance?
Which type of banjo is this? Is it a tenor with nylon strings or something? I really like the softer tone. Thank you
That's an 1888 Thompson & Odell "The Luscomb" 5-string banjo.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Do you use nylon strings?
La Bella No. 17 nylon, yes.
Hi ! Do you have any tab for this song ? Regards
I think I get it, but I'm not 100% sure yet.
Queenadreena covered this in 2000
what tuning are you in here?
About 2 frets below gDGCD.
Why'd you do it willy?
Whuddadone better on a mountain banjo. But You go.
you have live audience of 5