Seeing Nellie Home

(a.k.a. "When I Saw Nellie Home", "I Was Seeing Nellie Home" & Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party")

Words & Music:

Frances Kyle & John Fletcher (1856)

 

This tune was first recorded in 1906(!) by the Edison Male Quartette.  I remember it from Warner Bros. cartoons.

 

       G       D7           G                 C                  G

In the sky the bright stars glittered, on the bank the pale moon shone.

G                        C                    D7            G

It was from Aunt Dinah's quilting party I was seeing Nellie home

 

CHORUS:

G            C      G           C             G

I was seeing Nellie home, I was seeing Nellie home.

G                        C                    D7            G

It was from Aunt Dinah's quilting party I was seeing Nellie home.

 

On my arm a soft hand rested, rested light as ocean foam.

It was from Aunt Dinah's quilting party I was seeing Nellie home.

 

CHORUS:

 

On my lips a whisper trembled, trembled till it dared to come.

It was from Aunt Dinah's quilting party I was seeing Nellie home.

 

CHORUS:

 

On my life new hopes were dawning and those hopes have lived and grown.

It was from Aunt Dinah's quilting party I was seeing Nellie home.

 

CHORUS:

 

EARLIEST LYRICS VERSION:

In the sky the bright stars glittered; on the grass the moonlight fell.

HushÕd the sound of daylight bustle; closed the pink eyed pimpernel.

As adown the moss grown wood path where the cattle love to roam.

From an august evening party, I was seeing Nellie home.

 

CHORUS:

In the sky the bright stars glittered; on the grass the moonlight shone.

From an august evening party, I was seeing Nellie home.

 

When the autumn tinged the greenwood; turning all its leaves to the gold

In the lawn by elders shaded; I my love to Nellie told.

As we stood together gazing on the star bespangled dome.

How I blessed the august evening when I saw sweet Nellie home.

 

CHORUS:

 

White hairs mingled with my tresses; furrows steal upon my brow.

But a love smile cheers and blesses lifeÕs declining moments now.

Matron in the snowy kerchief, closer to my bosom come.

Tell me doÕst thou still remember when I saw sweet Nellie home.

 

CHORUS:

 





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