The Music of Stephen C. Foster .

Foster, Stephen Collins (1826-1864)

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NELLY WAS A LADY.

[_]

The following poem is scored for music in the source text.

[1]

Down on de Mississippi floating,
Long time I trabble on de way,
All night de cottonwood a toting,
Sing for my true-lub all de day.

CHORUS

Nelly was a lady—Last night she died,
Toll de bell for lubly Nell My dark Virginny bride.

[2]

Now I'm unhappy and I'm weeping,
Can't tote de cotton-wood no more;
Last night, while Nelly was a sleeping,
Death came a knockin at de door.

CHORUS

[3]

When I saw my Nelly in de morning,
Smile till she open'd up her eyes,
Seem'd like de light ob day a dawning,
Jist 'fore de sun begin to rise.

CHORUS.

[4]

Close by de margin ob de water,
Whar de lone weeping willow grows,
Dar lib'd Virginny's lubly daughter;
Dar she in death may find repose.

CHORUS.

[5]

Down in de meadow mong de clober,
Walk wid my Nelly by my side;
Now all dem happy days am ober,
Farewell my dark Virginny bride.

CHORUS.

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