 | The Music of Stephen C. Foster . |  |
49
NELLY WAS A LADY.
[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.
| The Music of Stephen C. Foster . | |