Down on the Mississippi floating
Long time I travel on the way
All night the cottonwood a-toting
Sing for my true love all the day
Nelly was a lady
Last night she died
Oh, toll the bell for lovely Nell
My dark Virginny bride
Now I’m unhappy and I’m weeping
Can’t tote the cottonwood no more
Last night, while Nelly was a-sleeping
Death come a-knocking at the door
Nelly was a lady
Last night she died
Oh, toll the bell for lovely Nell
My dark Virginny bride
When I saw Nelly in the morning
Smile when she opened up her eyes
It seemed like the light of day a-dawning
Just ‘fore the sun begin to rise
Nelly was a lady
Last night she died
Oh, toll the bell for lovely Nell
My dark Virginny bride
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
Nelly was a lady
Last night she died
Oh, toll the bell for lovely Nell
My dark Virginny bride
Down in the meadow ‘mong the clover
Walk with my Nelly by my side
Now all them happy days are over
Farewell, my dark Virginny bride
Nelly was a lady.
Last night she died
Oh, toll the bell for lovely Nell
My dark Virginny bride
Nelly was a lady.
Last night she died
Oh, toll the bell for lovely Nell
My dark Virginny bride