Polly Wolly Doodle is a 19th-century American song that first circulated in the minstrel stage tradition and later moved into the broader American folk repertoire. Like many songs from that period, it passed easily from theater to parlor singing, then into camp and community traditions where it survived long after its original performance setting faded. During the twentieth-century folk revival the song was recorded by performers such as Burl Ives, Woody Guthrie, and The Weavers, and it later appeared in the repertoire of singers including Leon Redbone, whose relaxed ragtime-influenced version helped bring the tune back into circulation for modern audiences. Redbone’s approach was one of the interpretations I had in mind while shaping this arrangement. My version is performed simply with voice and acoustic guitar, in keeping with the song’s long life in informal folk settings. Song: Polly Wolly Doodle Origin: American traditional, 19th century Performance: Jason Paul – voice & acoustic guitar
Jason Paul · The song collection19th Century
Polly Wolly Doodle
The performance
3 recordingsPerformance 1
Polly Wolly Doodle [19th Century] – American Traditional | Jason Paul, mandolin and voice
March 15, 2026
Lyrics and chords
verse 1
Oh I G went down south for to see my Sal
singin Polly Wolly D7doodle Gall the D7day
For my Sally she was a spunky gal
sing Polly wolly doodle all the Gday
chorus
Fare thee well, fare thee well,
fare thee well my CfairGy D7fay
For Im off to Louisiana for to see my Suza Anna
Singin Polly wolly doodle all the Gday
verse 2
Oh my Gsally was such a maiden fair
Singin Polly wolly D7doodle Gall the D7day
With her curly eyes and her laughing hair
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the Gday
verse 3
Oh a Ggrasshopper sat in a railroad track
Singing Polly wolly D7doodle Gall the D7day
Was a pickin his teeth with a carpet tack
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the Gday
verse 4
Oh I Gwent to bed but it weren’t no use
Singin polly wolly D7doodle Gall the D7day
Cause my feet stuck out for a chicken roost
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the Gday
verse 5
From beGhind the barn down upon my knees
Singin Polly wolly D7doodle Gall the D7day
I could swear I heard that ol chicken sneeze
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the Gday
verse 6
And he Gsneezed so hard with the hoopin cough
Singin Polly wolly D7doodle Gall the D7day
That he sneezed his head and his tail right off
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the Gday