Nelly Was a Lady
S. Foster
arrangement by Alvin Youngblood Heart


CAPO IV (key of F)


INTRO: D  G  D

D           G           D   A
Down on the Mississippi floating
D           A             D
Long time I travel on the way
D             G            D   A
All night the cottonwood a-toting
D           A                 D
Sing for my true love all the day


CHORUS:
D           G
Nelly was a lady
Em             A
Last night she died
D                 G
Toll the bell for lovely Nell
   D       A     D
By dark Virginie bride


INTRO


Now I'm unhappy and I'm weaping
Can't tote the cottonwood no more
Last night while Nelly was a-sleeping
Death came a-knockin' at the door


CHORUS


INTRO


When I saw my Nelly in the morning
Smile 'til she opened up her eyes
Seemed like the light of day a-dawning
Just 'fore the sun begin to rise

Close by the margin of the water
Where the lone weeping willow grows
There lived Virginie's lovely daughter
There she in death may find repose

CHORUS

INTRO

Down int he meadow 'mong the clover
Walk with my Nelly by my side
Now all them happy days are over
Farewell my dark Virginie bride

CHORUS