Lyr. Add: BELLE OB TENNISEE

1
White folks now have pity,
And listen unto me,
I tell you 'bout a gsl I lubed,
Dat libed in Tennisee;
Her hair black and curly,
Her teeth so berry white,
Her eyes dey was just like de stars,
Dey shine so bright at night.

Choorus-
Rosa, dearest Rosa,
My heart still beats for thee,
You're the only yaller gal I love,
De belle ob Tennisee.

2
When I left that happy spot,
It griebed my heart full sore,
To tink ob leabing her behind,
An' neber see her more.
De tears dey started from my eyes,
As Rosa said to me,
"My dearest Joe, don't leabe me so
Alone in Tennisee."

Rosa, dearest Rosa,

3
You may talk about Susanna,
An' your pretty Susa Teil,
De belle ob Louisianna,
An' de charming Lucy Neal;
But wid my dearest Rosa,
No oder one can shine,
When dey come to talk ob beauty,
Why she leabe them all behind.

Rosa, dearest Rosa,

4
If Rosa she war mine again,
How good dis nigger'd feel,
I'd play upon de banjo den,
While Rosa dance de reel.
I'd hunt de coon an' possum,
For it war my only pride,
Den happy, happy would I be,
Wid Rosa by my side.

Rosa, dearest Rosa, &c.

19th C. Song sheet, J. Andrews (NYC).
Collection: American Songs and Ballads, Library of Congress.
Found on American Memory.

Very reminiscent of The Yellow Rose of Texas, meter as well as words.
The tune for "Yellow Rose..." works here, with little variation.

"The Yellow Rose of Texas " may have had its origin as a minstrel song.