The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #58101   Message #2010262
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
29-Mar-07 - 12:00 AM
Thread Name: Origins: history of Down by the Riverside
Subject: RE: Origins: history of Down by the Riverside
Found sheet music to "DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE" by John J. Nolan, 1902, at American Memory. Published by G. W. Setchell, Boston.
It has no relationship to the "bright-eyed doll" song. No mention of 'Toorish.'

Here is the chorus, which is sung to waltz tempo:

Down by the riverside,
You said you'd be my bride.
And though years have flown,
Yet I am here alone
Waiting my love for you,
Say that you're not untrue,
You'll come what e'er betide,
Down by the riverside.

I won't bother to post the verses to the song, which may be found at American Memory.

http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/sheetmusic/b/b03/b0338/
Down By

Joe F, as you say, the "bright-eyed doll" may be much later.