I have known the chorus since childhood, knew the melody, but I didn't know the verses.

Lyr. Add: NELLY WAS A LADY
Stephen C. Foster, 1849

Down on de Mississippi floating,
Long time I trabble on de way
All night de cotton-wood 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,
Mt 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 knocking at de door.
3
When I saw my Nelly in de morning
Smile till she opened up her eyes,
Seem'd like de light ob day a dawning,
Jist 'for de sun begin to rise.
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.
5
Down in de meadow 'mong de clobber,
Walk wid my Nelly by my side;
Now all dem happy days am ober,-
Farewell, my dark Virginny bride.

One of the earliest Foster songs, along with the very popular "Susanna!" (Oh, Susanna)

First sung by the Christy Minstrels.
Tom Roush sings it, on youtube.

Sheet music at Levy Sheet Music Collections.