1.
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: (2 times)
Nelly was a Lady
Last night she died,
Toll de bell for lubly Nell
My 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 knockin at the door.
Chorus:
3.
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 ’fore de sun begin to rise.
Chorus:
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.
Chorus:
5.
Down in de meadow mong de clober,
Walk wid my Nelly by my side;
Now all dem happy days am ober,
Farewell my dark Virginny bride.
Chorus: