My name is Polly. But you knew that.
There are a lot of Polly-isms.
Polly Want A Cracker?
Polyester.
Pollyanna.
Polyglot.
And the good old Polygraph Test.
But none of them hits me quite like this one does:
Polly Wolly Doodle All The Day
This is especially dear to me because I am so fond of doodling.
Here is the lowdown on “Polly Wolly Doodle All the Day.”
It is an American folk song that originated in the mid-19th century. It is believed to have been written by G. W. (George Washington) Peirce. He was a minstrel performer, in the 1840s. Maybe he wrote it, maybe he didn’t write it. But the song became popular through minstrel shows. It was a fun and upbeat tune. It still is, I think.
What does it all mean? Well, the lyrics tell the story of a young woman named Polly. Just like me. Except I’m not so young these days.
Anyway. In the song, she is in a cheerful mood and is going to have a good time. This is symbolized by the refrain “Polly Wolly Doodle all the day.”
It also became a nursery rhyme, sung by children for its catchy melody and simple lyrics.
The song “Polly Wolly Doodle All the Day” has several variations, but the most well-known version goes like this:
Oh, I went down South
For to see my Sal
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the day
My Sal, she is a spunky gal
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the day
Fare thee well, Fare thee well,
Fare thee well my fairy fay
For I’m going to Lou’siana
For to see my Susyanna
Sing Polly wolly doodle all the day
Full Lyrics: ( https://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/pollywollydoodle.php )
There are a lot of different versions, just like there are a lot of different variations of people named Polly.
There was a time when I didn’t like my name. But now, it is mine. And I like being Polly.
What about your name?
Do you like it? Is there a phrase, song, or title that contains your name that you like or dislike?
No matter our names, though. We are who we are. Inside and out. No matter what.
“”””””””””””
“Names are not always what they seem.” – Mark Twain
“”””””””””””
“A name is the blueprint of the thing we call character. You ask, What’s in a name? I answer, Just about everything you do.” – Morris Mandel
“”””””””””””
“There is something about the sound of a name that makes it a part of who we are.” – Veronica Roth
“”””””””””””
Wolly Doodle Me.
