Nelly Was A Lady - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
NELLY WAS A LADY. 
Down on the Mississippi floating, Long time I travelled on the way, All night the cotton-wood a toating, Sing for my true love all the day. 
Chorus. Nelly was a lady, Last night she died; Toll the bell for lovely Nell, My dark Virginny bride. 
Now I'm unhappy, and I'm weeping, Can't toat the cotton any more; Last night while Nelly was a-sleeping, Death came a-knocking at the door.-Chorus. 
When I saw my Nelly in the morning Smile till she open up her eyes, Seem'd like the light of day a-dawning. Just before the sun begins to rise.-Chorus. 
Close by the margin of the water, Where the lone weeping-willow grows, There lived Virginny's lovely daughter, There she in death may find repose.-Chorus. 
Down in the meadow among the clover, Walk with my Nelly by my side; Now all those happy days are over-Farewell, my dark Virginny bride!-Chorus.