Lillie Bell.
Copied by permission of Firth, Pond & Co., 547 Broadway, owners of the copyright.
On the grave near massa’s dwelling,
You remember, darkies, well,
Stands a stone, so silent, telling
Where sleeps gentle Lillie Bell;
Where, in spring, the tall bananas
To the winds their branches wave,
Guarding well from every danger
Gentle Lillie’s lonely grave.
CHORUS
Oh, Lillie! long-lost Lillie!
To thy grave amid the dell
Our hearts are sadly turning,
Gentle Lillie, Lillie Bell.
Oh! darkies, how my heart is yearning,
Once to see that grave again;
Memory backward quickly turning,
Frees my breast from present pain.
But those days have gone forever—
Lost beneath life’s angry wave;
I weep no more; my heart is buried
With my Lillie in her grave.
Chorus.—Oh, Lillie! &c.
’Twas last eve I saw her beckon,
Far up in the azure sky,
Bidding me to quickly hasten
To her new-found home on high.
Then, darkies, take me quickly, take me
Where the tall bananas wave;
For my heart will cease its sighing
Near my Lillie’s lonely grave.
Chorus.—Oh, Lillie! &c.