Beadle's Dime Song Book No. 1

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

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.

Nelly was a lady, &c

When I saw my Nelly in de morning
Smile till she open’d up her eyes,
Seem’d like de light ob day a dawning
Jist for de sun begin to rise.

Nelly was a lady, &c

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.

Nelly was a lady, &c

Down in de meadow ’mong the clober,
Walk wid my Nelly by my side:
Now all dem happy days am ober, —
Farewell, my dark Virginny bride,

Nelly was a lady, &c

Down the River

Oh! the river is up, and the channel is deep,
And the wind blows steady and strong;
Let the splash of your oars the measure keep,
As we row the old boat along.
Oh! the water is bright, and flashing like gold,
In the ray of the morning sun,
And old Dinah’s away up out of the cold,
A getting the hoe-cake done.
Oh! the river is up, and the channel is deep,
And the wind blows steady and strong;
Let the splash of your oars the measure keep,
As we row the old boat along.

Chorus.– Down the river, down the river,
Down the Ohio;
Down the river, down the river,
Down the Ohio.

Chorus repeated

Oh! the master is proud of the old broad-horn,
For it brings him plenty of tin;
Oh! the crew they are darkies, the cargo is corn,
And the money comes tumbling in.
There is plenty on board for the darkies to eat,
And there’s something to drink and to smoke;
There’s the banjo, the bones, and the tambourine,
There’s the song, and the comical joke.
Oh! the river is up, and the channel is deep,
And the wind blows steady and strong;
Let the splash of your oars the measure keep,
As we row the old boat along.

Chorus.– Down the river, &c

Have you seen my Sister?

Say, my lovely friends, have you any pity
At your finger-ends? then listen to my ditty.
Our Kate has gone away, last Thursday night we miss’d her;
Good people do not smile, – say, Have you seen my sister?

If you have her seen, I hope you will advise her
To return to me, or I must advertise her;
Her waist is very thick, her stays give her a twister,
Now tell me, b’hoys and g’hals, Have you seen my sister?

She squints with both her eyes, in a manner very shocking,
She’s got a mouth for pies, and wears no shoes or stockings;
I’m afraid she’s gone astray, and some chap did enlist her,
I’m afraid she’s gone for good; say, Have you seen my sister?

She wants her two front teeth, you’d see it when she’d titter.
She’s got such little feet, Victoria’s shoes won’t fit her;
She wears no cap at all, but a great big muslin whister,
Now tell me once for all, Have you seen my sister?

Her figure’s straight and tall, her conduct’s very proper;
She’s well provided, for she’s eighteen pence in copper.
Now if you have her seen, you never could forget her,
For she’s very much like me; now, Have you seen my sister?

Her mouth is very small, her nose is straight and natty,
I tell you once for all, this girl is very pretty
Now I’ll sing you another song, and it shall be a twister,