The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #152927 Message #3578417
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
23-Nov-13 - 02:29 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Nelly Was a Lady (Stephen C. Foster)
Subject: Lyr Add: Nelly Was a Lady (Stephen C. Foster)
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.