Lyr Req: Nellie Dean

Subject: Nellie Dean
From: Bob Wilkinson
Date: 20 Aug 98 - 11:30 PM

I could not find this song in your files. Perhaps I am spelling it wrong. It was commonly sung at pub closing time in the 1940's It has a very haunting tune

Subject: RE: Nellie Dean
From: Dale Rose
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 01:40 AM

I know it's on our links page, but I am beginning to think that a link directly to the Levy site is needed! Just go to:Levy Sheet Music Site, type in Nellie Dean, and you will get the sheet music for You're My Hearts Desire, I Love You, Nellie Dean. It was written in 1905 by Henry W. Armstrong who also wrote Sweet Adeline.

Subject: RE: Nellie Dean
From: Bob Wilkinson
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 03:20 PM

Yes, I found it. Thanks very much. I only ever heard the chorus, which I have joined in many times in my youth. Thanks again

Subject: RE: Nellie Dean
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 03:31 PM

Dale, have you figured out a way to get the Levy sheet music to display clear enough so you can read it? I can almost read it onscreen, but what I print up is not quite legible.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Nellie Dean
From: Dale Rose
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 04:14 PM

The only editing software I have is Adobe Photodeluxe 2.0. I have tried putting the images in there, running the instant fix, which does lighten the murky gray background somewhat, then increasing size a little, maybe 20% or so. You can't do too much before the image starts to fall apart. Then I go to the tune section and increase the contrast as much as possible before that starts to look pitiful. I seem to remember a pretty good discussion from people who seemed to know more about this than I do when we first started using the Levy site. I know that I was going to list my method in the string, but the others seemed so much better than mine that I never did enter it.

Subject: RE: Nellie Dean
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 05:01 PM

Thanks Dale. I think that in that thread, somebody said the Levy Collection was going to do something to improve the scan quality. I hope it happens soon. I guess all of us who use it should send a message to the Levy collection and tell them about our legibility complaints.
-Joe Offer-

Click here for Bert's rendition of the lyrics, which he sings to the tune of the Marine Hymn.

Subject: Lyr Add: NELLIE DEAN (Henry W. Armstrong)
From: Dale Rose
Date: 31 Aug 98 - 04:20 PM

Here you go. There may be a mistake or two concerning commas, etc., but I think it is likely good enough.

(YOU'RE MY HEART'S DESIRE, I LOVE YOU) NELLIE DEAN
Henry W. Armstrong, 1905.

By the old mill stream I'm dreaming, Nellie Dean,
Dreaming of your bright eyes gleaming, Nellie Dean,
As they used to fondly glow When we sat there long ago
List'ning to the waters flow, Nellie Dean.
I can hear the robins singing, Nellie Dean,
Sweetest recollections bringing, Nellie Dean,
And they seem to sing of you with your tender eyes of blue,
For I know they miss you too, Nellie Dean.

CHORUS: There's an old mill by the stream, Nellie Dean
Where we used to sit and dream, Nellie Dean
And the waters as they flow seem to murmur sweet and low
You're my hearts desire, I love you, Nellie Dean.

I recall the day we parted, Nellie Dean,
How you trembled broken hearted, Nellie Dean,
And you pinned a rose of red on my coat of blue and said
That a soldier boy you'd wed, Nellie Dean.
All the world seems sad and lonely, Nellie Dean,
For I love you and you only, Nellie Dean,
And I wonder if on high you still love me,
If you sigh for the happy days gone by, Nellie Dean.

Chorus

Subject: RE: Nellie Dean
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 98 - 02:05 AM

Aw, that's a nice song, Dale - and much more complete than the version previously posted.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Nellie Dean
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 May 04 - 01:48 PM

The Virtual Gramophone has a recording of NELLIE DEAN sung by the Columbia Stellar Quartet in 1920.

Subject: Lyr Add: NELLIE DEAN (Barney Fagan)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 10:41 PM

The National Library of Australia has viewable sheet music of a different song called NELLIE DEAN.

NELLIE DEAN
Written and composed by Barney Fagan
Melbourne: Allan & Co., [between 1891 and 1892]

1. I'm far away from you, my sweetheart, Nellie Dean,
I'm fighting for my love and country, Nellie Dean.
You promised me my bride to be,
If I returned with victory,
We'll bring it home to ours and thee, my Nellie Dean.
I wear your little four-leaf clover near my heart,
And with my life, believe me, love, I'd sooner part.
It always cheers me on my way,
And keeps me ever light and gay,
In it I see you night and day, my Nellie Dean.

CHORUS: I will return to you, Nellie.
Pride fills my longing heart.
Don't let your cheer waver, now, Nellie dear,
We shall meet, never more, love, to part.
Far o'er the wide-spreading ocean
I will be sailing, my Queen.
Joy without measure,
Life will always teem with pleasure;
You are all I have to live for, Nellie Dean.

2. I'm coming home to claim you, darling Nellie Dean,
It seems as if I were but dreaming, Nellie Dean.
If tongue should try to tell the tale,
'Twould surely be of no avail,
To speak my happiness 'twould fail, my Nellie Dean.
Our flag triumphant soon will proudly float in peace,
And then may strife and pain of war for ever cease.
I yearn, my little one to see,
My thoughts are only, love, of thee,
The world it contains but one for me, my Nellie Dean.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Dean
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 06:23 PM

Is it just coincidence that the verses could be sung to Goodbye Dolly Gray and vice versa?