“Polly Put the Kettle On” began as an English nursery rhyme of the late eighteenth century, set to a melody known in that era as “Jenny’s Baubie.” It crossed into the old-time fiddle tradition, where it took on a life independent of the children’s verse, and its title has attached itself to several related but distinct tunes over the years.
As an old-time instrumental, the piece is typically played as a reel. It belongs to the body of fiddle tunes that circulated through the southern Appalachians, turning up in fiddlers’ contests and string-band sets.
This recording features the fiddler Bruce Molsky, a leading interpreter of old-time music, who included it on his album “Can’t Stay Here This A-Way.”
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