American Old Time Song Lyrics: 04 Dearest Mae

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 4

DEAREST MAE.

Now, niggers, listen to me;
A story I'll relate;
It happen'd in de valley,
In de old Car'lina State;
Way down in de meadow,
'Twas dere I mow'd de hay,
I always work de harder
When I t'iuk ob lubly Mae.

Chorus.
Oh. dearest Mae, you lubly as do day.
Your eyes are bright,
Dey shine at Bight,
When de moon am gwine away.

Old massa gib me holiday
And say he'd gib me more;
I t'auked him berry kindly,
And shoved my boat from short;
Oh. down de ribber I glides along,
Wid my heart so light and free,
To de cottasre ob my lubly Mae.
I'd loog'd so much to see.-Chorus.

On de banks ob de ribber,
Where de trees dey hang so low,
De 'coon among de branches play,
While de mink he keeps below;
Oh, dat is de spot,
And Mae she looks so neat,
Her eyes dey sparkle like de stars,
Her lips are red as beet.-Chorus.

Benead de shady old oak-tree.
We sat for many an hour,
Happy as the buzzard bird
Dat flies about de flower;
But oh, dear Mae, I left her;
She cried when boff we parted;
I bid sweet Mae farewell,
And back to Massa started.-Chorus.