Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)

Subject: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: CapriUni
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 04:32 PM

Hey, all! a friend (non-Catter) and I were chatting about children's songs, the other day, and she remembered one from a Cassette "Sampler" of folk music for kids, and she thinks it must have been around 1986 or '87... small house label, and part of a set.

The key lines from the chorus that she remembers are:

Nellie Bly, Nellie, don't you roam.
Nellie Bly, don't you women belong at home?

The tape also included Leslie Haworth's "Here's to Chesire," if that helps.

(And both songs were sung by male leads, with women, perhaps, singing harmony on "Cheshire.")

Doest any of this ring any bells? We're both kind of itching with curiousity, now...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 04:37 PM

Nelly Bly by the prolific American composer Stephen Foster is in the Digital Tradition with midi.

Nelly Bly

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: GUEST,Indefatigable
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 04:47 PM

Hallo! I'm the non-Catter friend she mentioned. Gargoyle, thanks -- we keep finding that song that you posted, but it's not the same song, or even the same Nellie Bly. The song I'm thinking of was about the lady journalist.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: CapriUni
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 04:59 PM

Right. As I understand, that song inspired her pen name, though.

Here's a brief biography of her.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 05:07 PM

Wasn't it Johnny being in the arms of Nelly Bly that caused Frankie to shoot him?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: CapriUni
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 05:52 PM

There's a typo in the link above. A second try at the link to Elizabeth Cochrane's (aka Nellie Bly) biography.

That's who the song we're looking for is about.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 06:04 PM

I remember the first half of the tune that Gargoyle posted from the 40s. The words I remember were -

Nelly Bly
Caught a fly
Tied it to a string

Let it go
Too and fro
Brought it back again.

No idea what it signified, I just remember myself (pre-school probably), swinging my teddy on a string and singing it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 01:01 PM

Not what's reqested, but "GLOBE TROTTING NELLY BLY" is in DigiTrad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: CapriUni
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:14 PM

Thanks, Dick! At least, we're getting closer!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 06:38 PM

Refresh?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: GUEST,Rory Carter
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 06:34 AM

I was walking along the street with a friend this morning and a fly flew past my head and then all of a sudden I was singing the song "Nelly Bly", the words just came so naturally, my sisters and I used to sing it when I was about 8 (1968)

Nelly Blye caught a fly
tied it to a string
string broke
cut its throat
poor little thing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: GUEST,Shropshire Kim
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 01:45 PM

Nellie Bly piped her eye
When she went to sleep.
When she wakened up again,
Her eye began to peep.

Hey Nellie, ho Nellie
Hearken unto me.
I'll sing to thee, I'll play to thee
A joyful melody.

Not what you're searching for but it has cleared out an old earworm I've been long burdened with.

Subject: Lyr Add: NELLIE BLY(?)
From: GUEST,Faye
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 10:35 PM

I had the same tape as child. I know all the lyrics but not where to find it:

In eighteen hundred and eighty-nine, the world was stunned to see
A woman who wrote for newspaper set out upon the sea.
For Nellie Bly they all turned out and shouted “Hip hooray!”
She said she'd travel around the world in less than eighty days.

CHORUS: Nellie Bly, Nellie, don't you roam.
Nellie Bly, don't you women belong at home?
But Nellie Bly, you showed us all; Nellie, you did amaze.
You were the first around the earth in less than eighty days.

She set sail from New York City for England’s foggy shore.
Her ship, Augusta Victoria hit wind and rain and more.
The weather took a nasty turn. The crew was deathly ill.
Nellie Bly danced on the decks. They say she's dancing still. CHORUS

Nell met Jules Verne in Gallie, France. He said he thought it fine
For woman to be the first to make the trip in such a time.
"My book Around the World in Eighty Days was fantasy.
Nellie Bly, you make my dreams become reality". CHORUS

From Italy to India, from Hong Kong to Japan,
Nell went faster round the world then ever did a man.
Not Christopher Columbus, Sir Francis Drake, nor Captain Cook
Ever dream that Nellie Bly would join their record books. CHORUS

She sailed across the Pacific till she hit the USA,
Then on to New York City on the seventy-second day.
Around the world in eighty days, they said a man could do.
Nellie Bly was not a man. She did it in seventy-two. CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: LindsayInWales
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 05:14 AM

I was going to post the same lyric that Shropshire Kim did.

We used to sing this song in primary school in St Albans in the 50s. We sang all sorts of English songs from a book called (I think) the National Songbook.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: GUEST,Maggie
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 12:53 PM

Just happened on this site doing search for Nellie Bly and what a thrill it was to see "Nellie Bly, Piped her eye when she went to sleep ......" Have not heard that since 1950's when I was at Junior School and I can still remember the tune! Thanks for the memory. x

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly Children's song
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 06:27 PM

My kid's still think that I mad when I sing the version taught at junior school. It's one of those tunes that you always remember.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,jane
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 02:34 PM

I've been trying to remember this for ages!!
Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 04:14 PM

Sheet music at Levy Collection:

"Globe Trotting Nellie Bly," words and music by Joe Hart, 1890, Willis Woodward & Co., NY. As sung by Hallen and Hart. Lyrics in the DT as noted above.

"Nellie Bly's Tour Around the World Triumphal March and Galop," music by Charles D. Blake, 1890, piano music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Guest, Joan
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 08:09 AM

I remember the Shropshire Kim version of Nellie Bly as well. There was a second verse too;

When you're dressed in your best
Bonnie,bright and gay
There's no fear you'll shed a tear
Upon your wedding day
Hey Nellie, ho nellie
Hearken unto me
I'll sing to thee, I'll play to thee
A joyful melody.

What wonderful memories that song brings back of a magical childhood!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Joan
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 08:12 AM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 10:08 AM

Nellie Bly is a name tht lends itself to songs---even pops up as the other woman in Frankie and Johnny.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 11:07 AM

The first lines of this song that I also learnt at school in the 50s, maybe from Singing Together or Time and Tune on BBC Radio, have been going round my head for days. It's nice to see that it wasn't a figment of my imagination!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Charmian
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 03:25 AM

This is from my Australianchildhood ( 1940's) sung by my parents

Nelly Bly caught a fly
Tied it to a string
The string did broke
Fly did choke poor little thing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Carolyn
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 11:09 AM

Hi,

I am also looking for a copy of the tape that CapriUni is looking for, and I see Faye has remembered all the words to Nellie Bly!   I don't remember the Cheshire song, but I recall one about frog's legs...whistling and "if you go down to Darby, you can seeee, the same as I", a song about tall-tales...if memeory serves, it was a husband and wife team and they played at my school in the mid-late 80's, and my mom bought a copy of their tape. I'm from the Western New York area - does anyone else remember seeing them? I have been looking for a copy of the tape for years. Sorry I stumbled upon this thread so late...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Annie Honjo
Date: 13 Jul 10 - 11:30 AM

I have searched for YEARS for this song! I went to school in Derby in the 50s and remember singing this at my primary school. It has stuck in my head ever since and we only sang it once! Another Google search has brought me to you good people and your unearthing of soem great treasures. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 06:19 PM

great posts ive heard this either on a album or a b side of a UK releaes probably late 60's I'll try and remember the band !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Voysbox
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 12:26 AM

I just googled "Nellie Bligh", having recalled this set of words out of nowhere from my Australian childhhod in the 1930s.

Nelly Bly caught a fly
Tied it to a string
The string broke
Cut its throat
poor little thing

That's exactly as i remember it, but I never did like the broke/throat "rhyme" and was glad to find Charmian's 17 June post (above)from the '40s, also Australian, using the much better broke/choke, but messing up the three-note rhythm of the last three lines.

So I think it may once have been

Nelly Bly caught a fly
Tied it to a string
The string broke
Fly did choke
Poor li'l thing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 08:59 AM

We also sang the "Piped your Eye" version in Cambridge Junior School, East London, South Africa in the 70's. I always wondered what it meant. Why where we tort things and not given explanations?
My sister bought this book. "The Alchemy of Murder" by Carol McCleary. It is a story of the life of Nelly Bly. I am busy reading it. Maybe the meaning will reveal itself in the book....

Bev

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,crayjones
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 12:00 PM

I am trying to find any other verses of "Twas a cold Day in September", which goes:

Twas a cold day in September
Oh how well I do remember
I was walking down the street with Nellie Bly
when my feet began to flutter and I fell in the gutter
and a pig came up and sat down by my side (by my side)

Two old women came a walking,
A walking and a talking
and one to the other she did say (did say)
"You can tell a man who boozes
by the company he chooses"
And the pig got up and slowly walked away
(refrain).

anyone know?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Serenity Rain
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 05:45 AM

Cray Jones: See the thread Lyr Add: The Famous Pig Song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Doug Saum
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 01:03 PM

By coincidence I recorded a custom version of Foster's "Nelly Bly" for my grandkids this Christmas. Does everyone know Foster's clever lyrics from the minstrel days? Doug Saum

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 02:15 PM

Doug Saum: see the link that was posted by Gargoyle earlier on this page.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Jessica
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 09:51 PM

I know it's years since this thread was posted, but I wanted to thank Faye for posting the lyrics. I also had this cassette as a kid but could only remember one verse. I wanted to sing it to my daughters and I am so glad to have the lyrics.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,jon
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 02:38 AM

My nana would sing (and she is Ellen Blake)
Nelly Blake caught a snake,
Tied it up with string.
String broke, cut its throat;
poor little thing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Janne Land
Date: 04 Dec 12 - 09:25 PM

Nellie Bly. Great to find all this. I sang the following in Australia in the forties, as a child, and to the Steven Foster tune.       Nellie Bly caught a fly, tied it to a string. Let it go, broke it's toe, poor little thing.!    Hi nellie, Ho Nellie fetch the broom along. Sweep the kitchen nice and clean, sing a little song!                  At least the fly only had it's toe broken, not it's throat cut!!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Marg
Date: 25 Mar 13 - 10:36 AM

This is version I learnt in the 40's in England

Nelly Bly caught a fly
tied it to some string
let in fly in the sky
Oh poor little thing

Could be played with one finger as a party piece on piano

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Jennie in Blackburn Melbourne Australia
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 06:38 AM

My dad sang it to me at bedtime in the mid 1960s playing the tune with one finger on a toy piano I had. "nelly Bligh caught a fly hung it on a string. String broke, cut its throat . Poor little thing"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,oldtimer
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 03:21 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crpudvCyP48&list=PL42712B526D589F19&index=99

but there is an old time band in Dublin town Ieland that does a much more emotional version

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Linda Mckale
Date: 25 Nov 13 - 02:27 PM

My mother used to sing this song to me when I was a little girl. I have always wondered where it came from, especially now I'm an adult (56) and mum died several years ago. She was born in 1916 and her mother my grandmother was born in 1882! Thank you to whom ever posted the lyrics. I only discovered recently that Nelly Blyth was an actual person, thanks to QI XL. There are many other songs mum sang to me that I've never discovered the origins for. I in turn have sang them to my son when he was a baby and my granddaughter. It's such a shame that we never record the stories our parents tell us about their past and our families histories.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST, Paul Slade
Date: 25 Nov 13 - 05:39 PM

I did a bit of research on Nellie for PlanetSlade's Frankie & Johnny essay. Here's what I found out:

The name Nelly Bly first appeared as the title of an 1850 minstrel song, composed by Stephen Foster. It was then adopted as a pen name by the journalist Elizabeth Cochrane, who became famous in 1889 when she recreated Phineas Fogg's trip from Around The World in Eighty Days. The name would still have been familiar to Americans as Frankie's song became popular, but perhaps staring to drift free of its context. Neither Foster's character nor Cochrane's alter-ego had any connection with Frankie's story, but the sound of the name echoed Alice Pryar's quite closely, and this substitution gave singers a less awkward line to negotiate. It's my guess that Nellie replaced Alice in the cast for that reason alone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Guest Phil
Date: 08 Jul 14 - 07:59 AM

Just read "Today I found Out' bulletin about Nellie Bly and it prompted me to search for the words of a song we sang as kids (accompanied by the only 'tune' I could play on a piano!!).
My Grandmother's (Kent UK)version was a bit different;

Nellie Bly, caught a fly, tied it to a string.
Let it go a little way and pulled it back again!

Cheers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,elizabeth
Date: 30 Mar 15 - 11:35 PM

i had this same tape when i was a kid and i loved it to death. after some research i discovered it was released by A Gentle Wind which is a children'd music label. it was on an album called Storysinger and it was written by Chris Holder and you can listen to it here

http://www.gentlewind.com/mp3nu/1014/Nellie_Bly.mp3

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Gary Hardgrave
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 03:53 AM

My Nana sang me the rhyme in the 1960s in Sydney

NellieBly caught a Fly
Tied it to a string
String broke
Cut its throat
Poor little thing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,npeats
Date: 12 Mar 16 - 09:16 PM

Faye, not sure you still check in on this thread, but I believe I found the song you posted about. I remembered it from childhood too, and recently went through my childhood albums during a trip home. It's on YouTube too. It's by singer storyteller, Chris Holder: https://youtu.be/9nref72KwRQ

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Gerald
Date: 10 Aug 16 - 12:44 AM

I was just looking this up, and wouldn't you know it, the very last post of this thread is the VERY DUDE I was looking for! Hot damn!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 17 - 05:17 AM

Nellie Blye piped her eye
Before se went to sleep

This I learned at school from the BBC radio for schools programme Singing together back in the 1950s It is not the Stephen Foster song with a same name character.

It occurs t me that some of the versions referring to choked flies etc are parody versions

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Jen
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 03:59 PM

Those of y'all who are looking for the Nelly Bly version that was done by A Gentle Wind, The tape is white, has one red label with a dragon on it on one side and one slightly darker than harvest gold with the label "The Second Sampler" on the other and it was produced in 1982. It also contains C-H-I-C-K-E-N, Do Mama Do, The Fox, "How the Whale Got his Throat" (by R.Kipling) and others. If you talk to A Gentle Wind about it, they will swear they never made this album, but I recon that's because it was 36 years ago and many people may no longer be around.

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Jen
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 04:46 PM

To amend the "they will swear they never made it"

you can purchase $50 worth of materials from them now, and receive "The Second Sampler" as a gift with purchase.

http://www.gentlewind.com/cat05.pdf

I'm in no way affiliated with A Gentle Wind, just want to help people find pieces of their childhood.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nellie Bly (children's song)
From: GUEST,Andrea Elliott-denham
Date: 05 Nov 20 - 03:52 PM

The version I remember was ..nelly Bligh bumped her eye when she went to sea