What must a Fairy's dream be,
Who drinks of the morning dew?
Would she think to fly till she reach'd the sky
And bathe in its lakes of blue
Or gather bright pearls from the depths of the sea—
What must the dream of a fairy be?

[2]

What must a Fairy's dream be,
Who sleeps when the Mermaid sings?
Would she rob the night of her jewels bright,
To spangle her silv'ry wings?
Rock'd on the wind 'bove the land and the sea,
What can the dream of a Fairy be?

[3]

What must a Fairy's dream be
When storms in their anger cry?
Would she madly chase in the winds embrace,
The lightning gleaming by,
Or seize on its flash with a child-like glee,
What must the dream of a Fairy be?

4

What must a Fairy's dream be
When mid-summer breezes play?
Would she proudly sail on the perfum'd gale
To welcome the dawn of day?
I know that her visions are sportive and free.—
What must the dream of a Fairy be?

Where Is Thy Spirit Mary?

[_]

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

Where is thy spirit, Mary?
Dwells it in the air?
Friends thou hast forsaken
Fondly deem 'tis ling'ring there.
I heard an old time ballad,
Low and plaintive was the strain
So pure and clear, I seem'd to hear
Thy gentle voice again.
She who sang was lovely,
She was innocent and fair
And I said, if angels guard us,
Thy sweet spirit lingers there.

Where is thy spirit, Mary?
Watching while we sleep?
Dost weep for those who wept for thee?
Do angels ever weep?
The autumn leaf had wilted
Ere thou hadst lost thy bloom.
But when that leaf had left its stem
It settled on thy tomb.
Spring birds now returning
With their music fill the air,
And we know by that sweet warning
That thy spirit lingers there.

UNCLE NED.

[_]

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

[1]

Dere was an old Nigga, dey call'd him Uncle Ned
He's dead long ago, long ago!
He had no wool on de top ob his head
De place whar de wool ought to grow.
Den lay down de shubble and de hoe

CHORUS.

Hang up the fiddle and de bow:
No more hard work for poor Old Ned—
He's gone whar de good Niggas go.

[2]

His fingers where long like de cane in de brake,
He had no eyes for to see;—
He had no teeth for to eat de corn cake
So he had to let de corn cake be.
Den lay down de shubble and de hoe

[3]

When Old Ned die Massa take it mighty bad,
De tears run down like de rain;
Old Missus turn pale, and she gets berry sad
Cayse she see nebber see Old Ned again.
Den lay down de shubble and de hoe

STAY SUMMER BREATH.

[_]

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

Summer breath, Summer breath, whispring low,
Wand'ring in darkness, where would'st thou go?
Wilt thou not linger and perfume the night,
With the fragrance thou'st gather'd in regions of light?
Dost sigh for the rose, would'st thou visit her bower,
Or sport with the mist till the coming of day;
Or art thou seeking some modest wild flower,
Whose beauty is gone with the sun's parting ray.

Summer breath, Summer breath, woo not the rose,
There lies the dew drop in blissful repose,
Nestling together, they know not of death;
Would'st waft them a sunder? Stay summer breath.
Stay for the vapours above yonder fountain,
Will shun thy caresses they love not the air.
And all the wild flowers that bloom on the mountain,
Will shrink from thy kiss Summer breath, go not there!

SUSANNA.

[_]

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

[1]

I come from Alabama with my Banjo on my knee—
I'se gwine to Lou'siana My true lub for to see.
It rain'd all night de day I left, De wedder it was dry;
The sun so hot I froze def—Susanna, dont you cry.

Chorus.

Oh! Susanna, do not cry for me;
I come from Alabama, Wid my Banjo on my knee.

[2]

I jump'd aboard the telegraph and trabbled down de ribber,
De lectrick fluid magnified, and kill'd five hundred Nigga.
De bulgine bust and de hoss ran off, I really thought I'd die;
I shut my eyes to hold my bref—Susanna dont you cry.

3

I had a dream de udder night, when ebry ting was still;
I thought I saw Susanna dear, a coming down de hill,
De buckweat cake was in her mouf, de tear was in her eye,
I says, I'se coming from de souf,—Susanna dont you cry.
Oh! Susanna &c.

AWAY DOWN SOUF.

[_]

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

[1]

We'll put for de souf Ah! dat's the place,
For the steeple chase and de bully hoss race—
Poker, brag, eucher, seven up and loo,
Den Chime in Niggas, wont you come along too.

CHORUS

No use talkin when de Nigga wants to go,
Whar de corn top blossom and de canebrake grow;
Den come along to Cuba, and we'll dance de polka juba,
Way down souf, whar de corn grow.

[2]

My lub she hab a very large mouf,
One corner in de norf, tudder corner in de souf;
It am so long, it reach so far—
Trabble all around it on a railroad car.

[3]

I went last night to see my Sally—
Two story house in Pigtail ally,
Whar de skeeters buz, and de fleas dey bite,
And de bull dogs howl and de tom cats fight.

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.

MY BRODDER GUM.

[_]

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

[1]

White folks I'll sing for you,
Nuffin else to do.
Spend my time a pickin on de banjo,
Hay! Brodder Gum.

CHORUS.

My Brodder Gum,
My Brodder Gum so fair,
All de yaller galls runnin round,
Try to get a lock ob his hair.

[2]

Hard work all de day,
Hab no time to play,
Berry fine time a diggin in the corn-field,
Hay! Brudder Gum.

CHORUS.

[3]

Tudder afternoon,
I thought I saw de moon,
Saw my true lub comin through de cane-brake,
Hay! Brudder Gum.

CHORUS.

[4]

Went one berry fine day,
To ride in a one horse sleigh,
Hollow'd to de old hoss comin through de tollgate,
Hay! Brudder Gum.

CHORUS.

DOLCY JONES.

[_]

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

[1]

Oh! ladies dont you wonder
When I again appear:
I've just been ober yonder
To see my Dolcy dear;
For Dolcy steps so lightly
Among de bricks and stones,
Her eyes dey shine so brightly
Oh! dadda, D' D' Dolcy Jones!

CHORUS.

Bye, bye, my darling!
Sleep to de rattle ob de bones!
Slumber till morning,
My lubly Dolcy Jones!

[2]

Oh! when I go a courting
I ride thr'o mud and rain:
I leabe de old hoss snorting
At de corner ob de lane.
I find my Dolcy weeping,
And charm her wid de bones,
Bye'n bye I leabe her sleeping,
Oh! dadda, D' D' Dolcy Jones!

CHO'S

[3]

I went up town dis morning
To sing a little song;
Miss Dolcy send me warning
To bring my boots along;
For de yard is paved wid cinder,
And de house is built ob stones
And a head is at de window,
Oh! dadda, D' D' Dolcy Jones!

CHO'S

OH! LEMUEL!

[_]

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

[1]

Oh! Lemuel my lark,
Oh Lemuel my beau,
I's guine to gib a ball to night,
I'd hab you for to know;
But if you want to dance,
Just dance outside de door;
Becayse your feet so berry large
Dey'll cover all de floor.
Oh! Lem! Lem! Lem! Lemuel I say!
Go down to de cotton field,
And bring de boys away.

CHORUS.

Go down to de cotton field!
Go down, I say!
Go down and call de Nigga boys all:
We'll work no more to day

2.

Oh! Lemuel my hope,
Oh! Lemuel my joy
I'll tell you who'll be at de ball
My woolly headed boy.
Dere's Nelly Bly, you know.
And Juliana Snow,
Dere's cane-brake Kitty likes de boys,
And she'll be sure to go.
Oh! Lem! Lem! Lem! Lemuel I say!
Go down to de cotton field and bring de boys away.

Cho:

Go down &c.

3.

Oh! Lemuel is tall,
Oh! Lemuel is fair,
Oh Lemuel! has gone to day
To take de morning air.
He makes de fiddle hum,
He makes de banjo tum,
He rattles on de old jaw bone,
And beats upon de drum.
Oh! Lem! Lem! Lem! Lemuel I say!
Go down to de cotton field and bring de boys away.

Cho:

Go down &c.

MARY LOVES THE FLOWERS.

[_]

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

[1]

Mary loves the flowers!
Ah! how happy they!
E'en their darkest hours,
To me were bright, bright summer day.
Receiving all her kisses,
Inhaling ev'ry sigh,
Ever fondly bending
Toward the radiance of her eye,
The lily and the morning glory,
Can they, can they die?
Mary loves the flowers!—
Ah! how happy they!
Een their darkest hours,
To me were bright, bright summer day.

2

Let no elfin finger
Blur from memory's sand
Her name—ah let it linger
While my airbuilt castles stand.
To feel her soft caressing,
Her ev'ry smile to see,
To bear her ardent blessing
Breathed in lute-toned melody.
To die beneath her tender care
Were life, were life to me.
Mary loves the flowers!
Ah! how happy they!
E'en their darkest hours,
To me were bright, bright summer day.

NELLY BLY

[_]

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

[1]

Nelly Bly! Nelly Bly!—bring de broom along,
We'll sweep de kitchen clean, my dear, and hab a little song.
Poke de wood, my lady lub, And make de fire burn,
And while I take de banjo down, Just gib de mush a turn.

Heigh! Nelly Ho! Nelly, listen lub to me,
I'll sing for you play for you, a dulcem melody.

[2]

Nelly Bly hab a voice like de turtle-dove,
I hears it in de meadow and I hears it in de grove
Nelly Bly hab a heart warm as cup ob tea,
And bigger dan de sweet potato down in Tennessee.

Chorus.

[3]

Nelly Bly shuts her eye when she goes to sleep,
When she wakens up again her eyeballs gin to peep
De way she walks, she lifts her foot, and den she brings it down,
And when it lights der's music dah in dat part ob de town.

Chorus.

[4]

Nelly Bly! Nelly Bly! nebber, nebber sigh,
Nebber bring de tear drop to de corner ob your eye,
For de pie is made ob punkins and de mush is made ob corn,
And der's corn and punkins plenty lub a lyin in de barn.

Chorus.

DOLLY DAY.

[_]

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

[1]

I've told you 'bout de banjo,
De fiddle and de bow
Likewise about de cottonfield,
De shubble and de hoe;
I've sung about de bulgine
Dat blew de folks away,
And now I'll sing a little song
About my Dolly Day.

CHORUS.

Oh Dolly Day looks so gay,
I run all round and round,
To hear her fairy footsteps play,
As she comes o'er de ground.

2.

I like to see de clover
Dat grows about de lane,
I like to see de 'bacco plant,
I like de sugar cane;
But on de old plantation
Der's nothing half so gay,
Der's nothing dat I love so much
As my sweet Dolly Day.

Cho:

Oh Dolly Day &c

3.

When de work is over
I make de banjo play,
And while I strike de dulcem notes,
I think of Dolly Day.
Her form is like a posy—
De lily of de vale,
Her voice is far de sweetest sound
Dat floats upon de gale.

Cho:

Oh Dolly Day &c

4.

Massa give me money
To buy a peck of corn
I'se guine to marry Dolly Day
And build myself a barn;
Den when I'm old and feeble,
And when my head is grey,
I'll trabble down de hill of life
Along wid Dolly Day.

Cho:

Oh Dolly Day &c

“GWINE TO RUN ALL NIGHT.”

or DE CAMPTOWN RACES.

[_]

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

[1]

De Camptown ladies sing dis song—Doo-dah! doo-dah!
De Camp-town race-track five miles long—Oh! doo-dah day!
I come down dah wid my hat caved in—Doo-dah! doo-dah!
I go back home wid a pocket full of tin—Oh! doo-dah day!

CHORUS.

Gwine to run all night!
Gwine to run all day!
I'll bet my money on de bob-tail nag—
Somebody bet on de bay.

2

De long tail filly and de big black boss—Doo-dah! doo-dah!
Dey fly de track and dey both cut across—Oh!doo-dah-day!
De blind hoss sticken in a big mud hole—Doo-dah! doo-dah!
Can't touch bottom wid a ten foot pole—Oh! doo-dah-day!

Cho:

Gwine to run all night! &c.

3

Old muley cow come on to de track—Doo-dah! doo-dah!
De bob-tail fling her ober his back—Oh! doo-dah-day!
Den fly along like a rail-road car—Doo-dah! doo-dah!
Runnin' a race wid a shootin' star—Oh! doo-dah-day!

Cho:

Gwine to run all night! &c.

4

See dem flyin' on a ten mile heat—Doo-dah doo-dah!
Round de race track, den repeat—Oh! doo-dah-day!
I win my money on de bob-tail nag—Doo-dah! doo-dah!
I keep my money in an old tow-bag—Oh! doo-dah-day!

Cho:

Gwine to run all night! &c.

ANGELINA BAKER.

[1]

Way down on de old plantation—
Dah's where I was born,
I used to beat de whole creation
Hoe in' in the corn:
Oh! den I work and den I sing
So happy all de day,
Till Angelina Baker came
And stole my heart away.

Chorus.

Angelina Baker!
Angelina Baker's gone—
She left me here to weep a tear
And beat on de old jawbone.

2.

I've seen my Angelina
In de spring-time and de fall,
I've seen her in de corn-field
And I've seen her at de ball;
And ebry time I met her
She was smiling like de sun,
But now I'm left to weep a tear
Cayse Angelina's gone.

Cho:

Angelina Baker! &c.

3.

Angelina am so tall
She nebber sees de ground,
She hab to take a wellumscope
To look down on de town—
Angelina likes de boys
As far as she can see dem,
She used to run old Massa round
To ax him for to free dem.

Cho:

Angelina Baker! &c.

4.

Early in de morning
Ob a lubly summer day
I ax for Angelina,
And dey say “she's gone away”—
I don't know wha to find her,
Cayse I don't know wha she's gone,
She left me here to weep a tear
And beat on de old jawbone.

Cho:

Angelina Baker! &c.

“AH! MAY THE RED ROSE LIVE ALWAY!”

[_]

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

[1]

Ah! may the red rose live alway,
To smile upon earth and sky!
Why should the beautiful ever weep?
Why should the beautiful die?
Lending a charm to ev'ry ray
That falls on her cheeks of light,
Giving the zephyr kiss for kiss,
And nursing the dew-drop bright—
Ah! may the red rose live alway,
To smile upon earth and sky!
Why should the beautiful ever weep?
Why should the beautiful die?

2.

Long may the daisies dance the field,
Frolicking far and near!
Why should the innocent hide their heads?
Why should the innocent fear?
Spreading their petals in mute delight
When morn in its radiance breaks,
Keeping a floral festival
Till the night-loving primrose wakes—
Long may the daisies dance the field,
Frolicking far and near!
Why should the innocent hide their heads?
Why should the innocent fear?

3.

Lulled be the dirge in the cypress bough,
That tells of departed flowers!
Ah! that the butterfly's gilded wing
Fluttered in evergreen bowers!
Sad is my heart for the blighted plants—
Its pleasures are aye as brief—
They bloom at the young year's joyful call,
And fade with the autumn leaf:
Ah! may the red rose live alway,
To smile upon earth and sky!
Why should the beautiful ever weep?
Why should the beautiful die?

“WAY DOWN IN CA-I-RO.”

[_]

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

[1]

Oh! ladies dont you blush when I come out to play;
I only mean to please you all, and den I's guine away.

CHORUS.

I hear my true-lub weep,
I hear my true-lub sigh,
`Way down in Cairo dis nigga's guine to die.

[2]

Sometimes de nigga's life is sad, some times his life is gay,
When de work dont come too hard he's stingin all de day.

CHORUS.

[3]

Now we libs on de fat ob de land, now we libs on de lean
When we hab no cake to bake we sweep de kitchen clean.

[4]

Massa bought a bran new coat and hung it on de wall,
Dis nigga's guine to take dat coat, and wear it to de ball.

[5]

All de ladies in de land, and all de gemmen too.
Am guine to hear de darkey band and see what dey can do.

CHORUS.

MOLLY DO YOU LOVE ME?

[_]

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

[1]

Molly do you love me?
Can the morning beam
Love a lowly flowret
Living in its gleam?
Let one gentle whisper
All my doubts destroy—
Let my dreamy rapture
Turn to waking joy.
Molly do you love me?
Tell me, tell me true!
Molly do you love me,
Love as I love you!

[2]

Tell me, by those ringlets,
By those eyes of blue,
Molly! do you love me,
Love as I love you?
Can that voice's music
Flow from heartless glee?
Must I read no feeling
In that melody?
Molly! do you love me?
Tell me, tell me true?
Molly! do you love me,
Love as I love you?

3.

Ah! my heart has yielded
To those smiles that play
With the merry dimples
All the live-long day.
Though the tender blossoms
Need the summer light,
Let our hearts, united,
Brave affliction's blight.
Molly! do you love me?
Tell me, tell me true!
Molly! do you love me,
Love as I love you?

103

THE VOICE OF BY GONE DAYS.

[_]

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

[1]

Ah! the voice of by gone days.
Will come back again,
Whispering to the weary hearted
Many a soothing strain.
Youthful fancy then returns,
Childish hope the bosom burns,
Joy, that manhood coldly spurns,
Then flows in memory's sweet refrain.
Ah! the voice of by gone days
Will come back again,
Whispering to the weary hearted
Many a soothing strain.

[2]

Ah! the voice of by gone days
Murmurs to my brain
Till the cherish'd forms departed
Seem to live again—
Weeping old-time sorrows o'er,
Smiling as in days of yore
When each heart its burden bore
Of love and pity, bliss and pain.
Ah! the voice of by gone days
Will come back again,
Whispering to the weary hearted
Many a soothing strain.

[3]

Ah! the voice of by gone days
Bids my memory rove
To the fair and gentle being
Of my early love.
She was radiant as the light,
She was pure as dews of night,
And beloved of angels bright,
She join'd their bless'd and happy train.
Ah! the voice &e.

117

I WOULD NOT DIE IN SPRING TIME.

[_]

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

[1]

I would not die in Spring time
When all is bright around,
And fair young flowers are peeping
From out the silent ground,
When life is on the water
And joy upon the shore;
For winter, gloomy winter
Then reigns o'er us no more.

[2]

I would not die in Summer
When music's on the breeze,
And soft delicious murmurs
Float ever through the trees,
And fairy birds are singing
From morn till close of day—
No: with its transient glories
I would not pass away.

3.

When breezes leave the mountain,
Its balmy sweets all o'er—
To breathe around the fountain
And fan our bowers no more.
When Summer flowers are dying
Within the lonely glen,
And Autumn winds are sighing—
I would not perish then.

4.

But let me die in Winter
When night hangs dark above,
And cold the snow is lying
On bosoms that we love—
Ah! may the wind at midnight,
That bloweth from the sea,
Chant mildly, softly, sweetly
A requiem for me.

123

TURN NOT AWAY!

[_]

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

[1]

Turn not away!
Turn not away
From the fond heart thou hast slighted.
Scorn not my dream,
Bright as the beam
E'er by thy cold frown benighted.
Bid me not now
Spurn every vow
Once so confidingly plighted.

[2]

Where shall I turn—
How can I learn
Other delights to awaken?
Ne'er can I find
Joy for my mind,
Hope from my heart being taken.
Vainly I'll strive
Hope to revive
When by thee scorned and forsaken.

[3]

When I would smile,
Grief to beguile,
Peace from my breast has departed;
When I would hide
Anguish in pride
Sorrowing teardrops have started.
Turn not away!
Turn not away!
Leave me not now broken hearted!

131

LILY RAY

[_]

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

[1]

While in their sunny bowers,
Sweet birds rejoice,
Mingling with budding flowers,
Loves gentle voice,
Grief, to thy memory
Tuneth a lay,
Lovely departed one,
Sweet Lily Ray

[2]

When slumber's dreamy light
O'er me is thrown,
Calling in visions bright,
Days that are gone,
While round my drooping heart,
Joy seems to play,
Fondly I dream of thee,
Sweet Lily Ray

[3]

When liquid melody
Falls on mine ear,
Then I impulsively
Deem thou art near;
But when a gentle form
Passeth away,
Sadly I mourn for thee,
Sweet Lily Ray

135

GIVE THE STRANGER HAPPY CHEER.

[_]

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

[1]

Give the stranger happy cheer.
When, o'er his cheek, the teardrops start,
The balm that flows from one kind word
May heal the wound in a breaking heart.
Scorn not the grief that his breast may outpour—
It may be for loved ones on some distant shore.
Oh! give the stranger happy cheer.
When o'er his cheek, the teardrops start,
The balm that flows from one kind word
May heal the wound in a breaking heart.

2.

Give the stranger happy cheer.
While forms familiar 'round ye stand,
Ye may not know what weight of woe
The wanderer bears in an unknown land.
Around ye no blessings more sweetly may fall
Than those which the way-wearied exile may call.
Oh! give the stranger happy cheer.
When, o'er his cheek the tear-drops start,
The balm that flows from one kind word
May heal the wound in a breaking heart

3.

Give the stranger happy cheer.
Where e'er ye find him, wan and weak,
'Twere little cost, 'twere nothing lost
To call a smile o'er his care-worn cheek.
Your kindness for years in his memory may rest
To gladden his footsteps and comfort his breast.
Oh! give the stranger happy cheer.
When, o'er his cheek the teardrops start,
The balm that flows from one kind word
May heal the wound in a breaking heart.

139

MELINDA MAY.

[_]

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

[1]

Lubly Melinda, come now my dear,
I'm waiting, I'm waiting for you.
Shut down de window, dry up de tear,
And walk wid me ober de dew.

CHORUS.

Lubly Melinda, Melinda, Melinda, my sweet Melinda May!
I could work in de field and be happy all de day,
If you would only smile again, my sweet Melinda May.

[2]

Laugh in de sunshine, weep in de rain,
And walk wha de lily bud bloom,
Down in de meadow, ober de lane,
Oh! come, my Melinda lub, come.

Cho.

Lubly Melinda is bright as de beam,
No snow-drop was ebber more fair,
She smiles like de roses dat bloom round de stream,
And sings like de birds in de air.

Cho.

If I was a hero and people would fall
Where ebber I'd tell dem to lie,
I'd make my Melinda de queen ob dem all,
And lib on delight ob her eye.

Cho.

149

MOTHER, THOU'RT FAITHFUL TO ME.

[_]

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

[1]

Mother, dear mother, 'tis sweet to know,
In stemming the current through life's ebb and flow,
Though heartless and fickle all else may be,
Thou'rt ever, ever faithful to me.
When hopes are dethroned and pleasures depart,
When sickness or care o'er-shadows my heart,
Though others may leave me for wealth or fame,
Mother, mother, thou'rt ever the same.

[2]

Mother, dear mother, thy smiles and tears
Have hallowed my footsteps in youth's tender years,
And still will their memory a charm impart
That never, never shall fade from my heart.
Each wish of my soul in thy bosom was caught
E'er grief framed a word or hope knew a thought,
And still, though unmindful I've been of thee,
Mother, mother, thou'rt faithful to me.

[3]

Mother, dear mother, amid the strife
Thy spirit hath borne in the battle of life,
Mid envy, ambition, deceit, and pride,
Thou'st ever fondly clung to my side.
Time's running sands have furrowed thy brow,—
Care hath bedimmed thy cheek's native glow;
But, warm in affection of sacred hue,
Mother, mother, thou'rt faithful and true.

157

FAREWELL! OLD COTTAGE.

[_]

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

[1]

Farewell! old cottage,
You and I must part:
I leave your faithful shelter
With a poor breaking heart.
The stranger, in his might,
Hath cast our lot in twain;
The term of our delight
Must close in parting pain.—
Farewell! old cottage—
Farewell! old cottage,
You and I must part:
I leave your faithful shelter
With a poor breaking heart.

[2]

Farewell! old cottage,
Memory still inthralls
The loved ones of my childhood
In your timebeaten walls.
Here my brother played
In pride of health and youth,
Here my sister prayed
In purity and truth.
Farewell! old cottage
Farewell! old cottage,
You and I must part:
I leave your faithful shelter
With a poor breaking heart.

[3]

Farewell! old cottage,
Oft times from afar
Yon window light hath served me
As a loved guiding star,
And cheered a heart that longed
To join the household mirth
Where happy faces thronged
A hospitable hearth.
Farewell! old cottage
Farewell! old cottage,
You and I must part:
I leave &c.

165

RING, RING DE BANJO!

[_]

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

[1]

De time is nebber dreary
If de darkey nebber groans;
De ladies nebber weary
Wid de rattle ob de bones:
Den come again Susanna
By de gaslight ob de moon;
We'll tum de old Piano
When de banjo's out ob tune.

Chorus.

Ring, ring de banjo!
I like dat good old song,
Come again my true lub,
Oh! wha you been so long.

[2]

Oh! nebber count de bubbles
While der's water in de spring:
De darkey hab no troubles
While he's got dis song to sing.
De beauties ob creation
Will neb ber lose der charm
While I roam de old plantation
Wid my true lub on my arm.

Chorus.

Ring, ring de banjo!
I like dat good old song,
Come again my true lub,
Oh! wha you been so long.

3

Once I was so lucky,
My massa set me free,
I went to old Kentucky
To see what I could see:
I could not go no farder,
I turn to massa's door,
I lub him all de harder,
I'll go away no more.

Ring, ring de banjo! &c.

4

Early in de morning
Ob a lubly summer day,
My massa send me warning
He'd like to hear me play.
On de banjo tapping,
I come wid dulcem strain;
Massa fall a napping—
He'll nebber wake again.

Ring, ring de banjo! &c.

5

My lub, I'll hab to leabe you
While de ribber's running high:
But I nebber can deceibe you—
So dont you wipe your eye.
I's guine to make some money;
But I'll come anodder day—
I'll come again my honey,
If I hab to work my way.

Ring, ring de banjo! &c.

174

I WOULD NOT DIE IN SUMMER TIME

[_]

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

[1]

I would not die in Summer time
When hearts are light and free,
And joy is borne from every clime
O'er mountain, stream and lea.
I would not leave the friends I know,
Beguiled of hope and cheer,
To lose in burning tears of woe
The glad time of the year.

[2]

Oh! no, I would not pass away
When, from the leafy grove,
The red bird carols all the day
Its song of joy and love;
When merry warblers trill their notes
From every bush and tree,
And on the breeze, an anthem floats
Of heaven-born melody.

[3]

I would not die in Summer time,
And lie within the tomb,
When blushing fruits are in their prime,
And fields are in their bloom;
For I would reap the yellow grain
And bind it in the sheaves;
Then die when Autumn winds complain
Among the blighted leaves.

182

LAURA LEE.

[_]

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

[1]

Why has thy merry face
Gone from my side,
Leaving each cherished place
Cheerless and void?
Why has the happy dream,
Blended with thee,
Passed like a flitting beam,
Sweet Laura Lee?

[2]

Far from all pleasure torn,
Sad and alone,
How doth my spirit mourn
While thou art gone!
How like a desert isle
Earth seems to me,
Robbed of thy sunny smile,
Sweet Laura Lee!

[3]

When will thy winning voice
Breathe on mine ear?
When will my heart rejoice,
Finding thee near?
When will we roam the plain
Joyous and free,
Never to part again,
Sweet Laura Lee?

OLD FOLKS AT HOME

[_]

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

[1]

Way down upon de Swanee ribber,
Far, far away,
Dere's wha my heart is turning ebber,
Dere's wha de old folks stay.
All up and down de whole creation,
Sadly I roam,
Still longing for de old plantation,
And for de old folks at home.

CHORUS.

All de world am sad and dreary,
Ebry where I roam,
Oh! darkeys how my heart grows weary,
Far from de old folks at home.

[2]

All round de little farm I wandered
When I was young,
Den many happy days I squandered,
Many de songs I sung.
When I was playing wid my brudder
Happy was I—
Oh! take me to my kind old mudder,
Dere let me live and die.

CHORUS.

[3]

One little hut among de bushes,
One dat I love,
Still sadly to my mem'ry rushes,
No matter where I rove
When will I see de bees a humming
All round de comb?
When will I hear de banjo tumming
Down in my good old home?

CHORUS.

WILLIE MY BRAVE.

[_]

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

[1]

On the lonely sea-beat shore
A maiden fair was weeping,
Calling one who far away
Beneath the wave was sleeping.
Thus her sad unchanging strain
Floated ever on the main—
Come o'er the billow,
Ride on the wave,
Come while the wind bloweth,
Willie my brave!

[2]

He said his bark would soon return,
And with a kiss they parted;
But when a year had passed away,
She then grew weary hearted
Oh! 'twas sad, from day to day,
To hear the maiden's plaintive lay—
Come o'er the billow,
Ride on the wave,
Come while the wind bloweth,
Willie my brave!

None who knew the maiden's grief,
And saw her heart's devotion
Would tell her of the fragile bark
That sank beneath the ocean;
But when all hope had passed away,
Her life breathed forth its parting lay—
Come o'er the &c..

212

FAREWELL MY LILLY DEAR.

[_]

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

[1]

Oh! Lilly dear, it grieves me
The tale I have to tell;
Old massa sends me roaming,
So Lilly, fare you well!
Oh! fare you well my true love,
Farewell old Tennessee,
Then let me weep for you love,
But do not weep for me.

Chorus.

Farewell forever to Old Tennessee;
Farewell my Lilly dear,
Dont weep for me.

2

I's guine to roam the wide world
In lands I've never hoed,
With nothing but my banjo
To cheer me on the road;
For when I'm sad and weary
I'll make the banjo play,
To mind me of my true love
When I am far away.

Chorus.

Farewell forever &c.

3

I wake up in the morning,
And walk out on the farm;
Oh! Lilly am a darling—
She take me by the arm,
We wander through the clover
Down by the river side,
I tell her that I love her
And she must be my bride.

Chorus.

Farewell forever &c.

4

Oh! Lilly dear 'tis mournful
To leave you here alone,
You'll smile before I leave you
And weep when I am gone,
The sun can never shine, love
So bright for you and me,
As when I worked beside you
In good old Tennessee.

Chorus.

Farewell forever &c.

216

MASSA'S IN DE COLD GROUND.

[_]

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

[1]

Round de meadows am a ringing
De darkeys' mournful song,
While de mocking bird am singing,
Happy as de day am long.
Where de ivy am a creeping
O'er de grassy mound,
Dare old massa am a sleeping,
Sleeping in de cold, cold ground.

CHORUS.

Down in de cornfield
Hear dat mournful sound:
All de darkeys am a weeping
Massa's in de cold, cold ground.

[2]

When de autumn leaves were falling,
When de days were cold,
'Twas hard to hear old massa calling,
Cayse he was so weak and old.
Now de orange tree am blooming
On de sandy shore,
Now de summer days am coming,
Massa nebber calls no more.

CHORUS.

[3]

Massa made de darkeys love him,
Cayse he was so kind,
Now dey sadly weep above him,
Mourning cayse he leave dem behind.
I cannot work before tomorrow,
Cayse de tear drops flow,
I try to drive away my sorrow
Pick in on de old banjo.

CHORUS.

220

THE HOUR FOR THEE AND ME.

[_]

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

[1]

When day breaks forth on the dewy lawn,
And all seems mirth and glee,
When birds their sweetest songs awake
Is the hour for thee and me.

[2]

When perfumes from the closing flowers
Are wafted o'er the lea,
And vespers float upon the gale,
Is the hour for thee and me.

[3]

When night be holds her starry realm
Reflected on the sea,
When moonbeams dance upon the rill,
Is the hour for thee and me.

228

MAGGIE BY MY SIDE.

[_]

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

[1]

The land of my home is flitting,
Flitting from my view;
A gale in the sails is sitting,
Toils the merry crew.
Here let my home be,
On the waters wide:
I roam with a proud heart;
Maggie's by my side;
My own love, Maggie dear,
Sitting by my side
Maggie dear, my own love,
Sitting by my side.

[2]

The wind howling o'er the billow
From the distant lea.
The storm raging 'round my pillow
Brings no care to me.
Roll on ye dark waves,
O'er the troubled tide:
I heed not your anger,
Maggie's by my side;
My own love, Maggie dear.
Sitting by my side,
Maggie dear, my own love,
Sitting by my side.

[3]

Storms can appal me never
While her brow is clear:
Fair weather lingers ever
Where her smiles appear.
When sorrow's breakers
'Round my heart shall hide,
Still may I find her
Sitting by my side.
My own love, &c.

236

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME, GOOD-NIGHT!

[_]

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

[1]

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
'Tis summer, the darkies are gay,
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day.
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy and bright:
By'n by Hard Times comes a knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky Home, good night!

CHORUS

Weep no more, my lady,
oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song
For the old Kentucky Home,
For the old Kentucky Home, far away.

They hunt no more for the possum and the coon
On the meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by the old cabin door.
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow where all was delight;
The time has come when the darkies have to part,
Then my old Kentucky Home, good-night!

Chorus.

The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the darkey may go:
A few more days, and the trouble all will end
In the field where the sugar-canes grow.
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter 'twill never be light,
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky Home, good-night!

Chorus.

241

OH! BOYS CARRY ME LONG.

[_]

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

[1]

Oh! carry me long,
There's no more trouble for me,
I'm bound to roam
In a happy home
Where all the darkeys are free;
I've worked long in the fields,
I've handled many a hoe,
I'll turn my eye
Before I die
And see the sugar cane grow.

CHORUS.

Oh! boys, carry me long,
Carry me till I die,
Carry me down
To the burying ground:
Massa, dont you cry!

[2]

All over the land
I've wandered many a day,
To blow the horn
And mind the corn
And keep the possum away;
No use for me now,
So darkeys bury me low:
My horn is dry,
And I must lie
Where the possum never can go.

CHORUS.

[3]

Farewell to the boys
With hearts so happy and light,
They sing a song
The whole day long,
And dance the juba at night;
Farewell to the fields
Of cotton, 'bacco, and all:
I'm bound to hoe
In a blessed row
Where the corn grows mellow and tall.

CHORUS.

[4]

Farewell to the hills,
The meadows cover'd with green,
Old brindle boss
And the old grey horse
All beaten, broken, and lean;
Farewell to the dog
That always followed me 'round;
Old Sancho'll wail
And droop his tail
When I am under the ground.

CHORUS.

263

OLD DOG TRAY

[_]

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

[1]

The morn of life is past,
And evening comes at last;
It brings me a dream of a once happy day,
Of merry forms I've seen
Upon the village green,
Sporting with my old dog Tray.

CHORUS.

Old dog Tray's ever faithful,
Grief cannot drive him away,
He's gentle, he is kind;
I'll never, never find
A better friend than old dog Tray.

[2]

The forms I call'd my own
Have vanished one by one,
The lov'd ones, the dear ones have all passed away,
Their happy smiles have flown,
Their gentle voices gone;
I've nothing left but old dog Tray.

Old dog Tray's ever faithful,
Grief cannot drive him away;
He's gentle, he is kind;
I'll never, never find
A better friend than old dog Tray.

[3]

When thoughts recall the past
His eyes are on me east;
I know that he feels what my breaking heart would say:
Although he cannot speak
I'll vainly, vainly seek
A better friend than old dog Tray.

Old dog Tray's ever faithful,
Grief cannot drive him away;
He's gentle, he is kind;
I'll never, never find
A better friend than old dog Tray.

279

OLD MEMORIES.

Fondly old memories
Recall round my heart
Scenes of my early joys
That never depart.
Warmed in their sunny rays,
Hopes brightly burn:
Say not those happy days
Can never return:

Voices of tenderness
And eyes ever bright,
Warm and true hearted friends
May lend their delight;
But still for departed smiles
The sad heart will yearn:
Say not those happy days
Can never return:

LITTLE ELLA

[_]

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

[1]

Little Ella, fairest, dearest
Unto me and unto mine,
Earthly cherub coming nearest
To my dreams of forms divine:
Her brief absence frets and pains me,
Her bright presence solace brings,
Her spontaneous love restrains me
From a thousand and selfish things.

[2]

Little Ella moveth lightly
Like a graceful fawn at play,
Like a brooklet running brightly
In the genial smile of May,
Like a breeze upon the meadows
All besprent with early flowers.
Like a bird mid sylvan shadows
In the golden summer hours.

[3]

Little Ella brings a blessing
With her bright and winning smile,
With her frank and fond caressing
And her prattle free from guile.
When I hear her footsteps bounding,
In the hall or through the grove,
And her voice with joy resounding,
'Tis the music that I love.

373

ELLEN BAYNE.

[_]

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

[1]

Soft be thy slumbers,
Rude cares depart,
Visions in numbers
Cheer thy young heart.
Dream on while bright hours
And fond hopes remain,
Blooming like smiling bowers
For thee, Ellen Bayne.

CHORUS.

Gentle slumbers o'er thee glide,
Dreams of beauty round thee bide
While I linger by thy side,
Sweet Ellen Bayne.

[2]

Dream not in anguish,
Dream not in fear;
Love shall not languish;
Fond ones are near.
Sleeping or waking,
In pleasure or pain
Warm hearts will beat for thee,
Sweet Ellen Bayne.

Chorus.

[3]

Scenes that have vanished
Smile on thee now,
Pleasures once banished
Play round thy brow,
Forms long departed
Greet thee again
Soothing thy dreaming heart,
Sweet Ellen Bayne.

Chorus.

378

WILLIE WE HAVE MISSED YOU.

[_]

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

[1]

Oh! Willie is it you, dear,
Safe, safe at home?
They did not tell me true, dear;
They said you would not come.
I herd you at the gate,
And it made my heart rejoice;
For I knew that welcome footstep
And that dear, familiar voice,
Making music on my ear
In the lonely midnight gloom:
Oh! Willie, we have missed you;
Welcome, welcome home!

[2]

We've longed to see you nightly,
But this night of all;
The fire was blazing brightly
And lights were in the hall.
The little ones were up
Till 'twas ten o'clock and past,
Then their eyes began to twinkle,
And they've gone to sleep at last;
But they listened for your voice
Till they thought you'd never come;
Oh! Willie, we have missed you;
Welcome, welcome, home!

[3]

The days were sad without you,
The nights long and drear;
My dreams have been about you;
Oh! welcome, Willie dear!
Last night I wept and watched
By the moonlights cheerless ray,
Till I thought I heard your footstep,
Then I wiped my tears away;
But my heart grew sad again
When I found you had not come;
Oh! Willie, we have missed you;
Welcome, welcome home!

383

JEANIE WITH THE LIGHT BROWN HAIR.

[_]

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

[1]

I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair,
Borne, like a vapor, on the summer air;
I see her tripping where the bright streams play,
Happy as the daisies that dance on her way.
Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour.
Many were the blithe birds that warbled them o'er:
Oh! I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair,
Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air.

[2]

I long for Jeanie with the day dawn smile,
Radiant in gladness, warm with winning guile;
I hear her melodies, like joys gone by,
Sighing round my heart o'er the fond hopes that die:
Sighing like the night wind and sobbing like the rain,—
Wailing for the lost one that comes not again:
Oh! I long for Jeanie, and my heart bows low,
Never more to find her where the bright waters flow.

[3]

I sigh for Jeanie, but her light form strayed
Far from the fond hearts round her native glade;
Her smiles have vanished and her sweet songs flown,
Flitting like the dreams that have cheered us and gone.
Now the nodding wild flowers may wither on the shore
While her gentle fingers will cull them no more:
Oh! I sigh for Jeanie with the light brown hair,
Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air.

389

COME WITH THY SWEET VOICE AGAIN.

[_]

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

[1]

Come with thy sweet voice again,
To my heart still dear,
Laden with soft, soothing pain,
Like a tear, like a tear.
Bright visions, long vanished,
Round thy melodies beam:—
Lulled in the lap of thy sighs,
Let me dream, let me dream.
Come again!
Come with thy sweet voice again!
Come, oh! come again!
Come with thy sweet voice again!

[2]

Bring not a language that tells
How the light hours roll:
Come with the music that wells
From thy soul, from thy soul,
Come not with bright off'rings,
Cold, unhallowed and new:
Bring but thine own gentle heart,
Ever true, ever true.
Come again!
Come with thy sweet voice again!
Come, oh! come again!
Come with thy sweet voice again!

425

HARD TIMES COME AGAIN NO MORE.

[1]

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
While we all sup sorrow with the poor:
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears;—
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.

Chorus.

'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary;—
Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more:
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.

[2]

While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay
There are frail forms fainting at the door:
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say—
Oh! Hard times, come again no more.

3

There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away
With a worn heart whose better days are o'er:
Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day—
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.

Chorus.

Tis the song &c.

4

'Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave,
'Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore,
'Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave.—
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.

Chorus.

Tis the song &c.

429

COME WHERE MY LOVE LIES DREAMING.

QUARTETTE.

Come where my love lies dreaming,
Dreaming the happy hours away,
In visions bright redeeming
The fleeting joys of day;

Dreaming the happy hours,
Dreaming the happy hours away;
My own love is sweetly dreaming the happy hours away.
My own love is sweetly dreaming,
Her beauty beaming;
My own love is sweetly dreaming the happy hours away.
Come where my love lies dreaming,
Dreaming the happy hours away.
Come where my love lies dreaming,
Come with a lute-toned lay;
Come where my love lies dreaming,
Dreaming the happy hours away.
Come with a lute, come with a lay,
Come where my love lies dreaming,
Dreaming the happy hours away.

Soft is her slumber;
Thoughts bright and free
Dance through her dreams
Like gushing melody;
Light is her young heart,
Light may it be:
Come where my love lies dreaming.

440

SOME FOLKS.

[_]

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

Some folks like to sigh,
Some folks do, some folks do;
Some folks long to die,—
But that's not me nor you.

444

THE VILLAGE MAIDEN.

[_]

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

[1]

The village bells are ringing,
And merrily they chime;
The village choir is singing,
For 'tis a happy time;
The chapel walls are laden
With garlands rich and gay,
To greet the village maiden
Upon her wedding day.

[2]

But summer joys have faded
And summer hopes have flown;
Her brow with grief is shaded,
Her happy smiles are gone;
Yet why her heart is laden,
Not one, alas! can say,
Who saw the village maiden
Upon her wedding day.

[3]

The village bells are ringing,
But hark, how sad and slow;
The village choir is singing
A requiem soft and low;
And all with sorrow laden
Their tearful tribute pay
Who saw the village maiden
Upon her wedding day.

448

COMRADES FILL NO GLASS FOR ME.

[_]

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

[1]

Oh! comrades, fill no glass for me
To drown my soul in liquid flame,
For if I drank, the toast should be—
To blighted fortune, health and fame.
Yet, though I long to quell the strife,
That passion holds against my life,
Still, boon companions may ye be,
But comrades, fill no glass for me.

2

I know a breast that once was light
Whose patient sufferings need my care,
I know a hearth that once was bright,
But drooping hopes have nestled there.
Then while the tear drops nightly steal
From wounded hearts that I should heal,
Though boon companions ye may be—
Oh! comrades, fill no glass for me.

3

When I was young I felt the tide
Of aspirations undefiled,
But manhood's years have wronged the pride
My parents centered in their child.
Then, by a mother's sacred tear,
By all that memory should revere,
Though boon companions ye may be—
Oh! comrades, fill no glass for me.

University of Virginia Library

1. VOLUME 1 1844–1855

LOU'SIANA BELLE.

[1]

Chorus

[2]

3

4

WHAT MUST A FAIRY'S DREAM BE?

[1]

[2]

[3]

4

Where Is Thy Spirit Mary?

UNCLE NED.

[1]

CHORUS.

[2]

[3]

STAY SUMMER BREATH.

SUSANNA.

[1]

Chorus.

[2]

3

AWAY DOWN SOUF.

[1]

CHORUS

[2]

[3]

NELLY WAS A LADY.

[1]

CHORUS

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

MY BRODDER GUM.

[1]

CHORUS.

[2]

[3]

[4]

DOLCY JONES.

[1]

CHORUS.

[2]

[3]

CHO'S

OH! LEMUEL!

[1]

CHORUS.

2.

Cho:

3.

Cho:

MARY LOVES THE FLOWERS.

[1]

2

NELLY BLY

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

DOLLY DAY.

[1]

CHORUS.

2.

Cho:

3.

Cho:

4.

Cho:

“GWINE TO RUN ALL NIGHT.”

or DE CAMPTOWN RACES.

[1]

CHORUS.

2

Cho:

3

1. VOLUME 1
1844–1855