Back to the Songs List

Nelly Was a Lady

Song performed by: Dean Potter (vocals) and Tara Dirst (piano). Recording engineer: Matt Dotson.

Stephen C. Foster

1. Down on the Mississippi floating,
Long time I trabble on de way,
All night de cotton wood a-toting,
Sing for my true lub all de day.

Refrain.
Nelly was a lady,
Last night she died;
Toll de bell for lubly Nell,
My dark Virginny bride.
Nelly was a lady,
Last night she died,
Toll de bell for lubly Nell,
My dark Virginny bride.

2. Now I'm unhappy an' I'm weeping,
Can't tote de cottonwood no more,
Last night while Nelly was a-sleeping,
Death came a-knockin' at de door.

Refrain.

3. When I say my Nelly in de morning,
Smile till she open'd up her eyes,
Seem'd like de light ob day a-dawning,
Just 'fore de sun begin to rise.

Refrain.

© 2005 Mark Twain's Mississippi River