Her brow is like the snaw-drift—
Her throat is like the swan,
Her face it is the fairest
That e’er the sun shone on—
That e’er the sun shone on—
And dark blue is her e’e;
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I’d lay me doune and dee.
Like dew on the gowan lying,
Is the fa’ o’ her fairy feet,
And like the winds in summer sighing,
Her voice is low and sweet,
Her voice is low and sweet,
And she’s a’ the world to me;
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I’d lay me doune and dee.
Nelly was a Lady.
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.
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.