American Old Time Song Lyrics: 40 Nellie And May Sisters Were They
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 40
Nellie and May, Sisters Were They.
Copyright, 1893, by T. B. Harms & Co.
Words and Music by John T. Kelly.
I will tell to you a story which the shades of life will show,
How oft it's caused a silent tear to start;
'Tis of two young sisters, Nell and May, who parted long ago;
It tells another tale of broken heart;
We all our joy and sorrow have, our future paths lie strange;
Nellie's rich, a happy wife, poor May, oh! what a change!
She loved unwise, the story goes, at last was led astray;
Like a withered rose she's fallen by the way.
Nellie and May, sisters were they, both from the same old home;
Nellie was grand, wealth at command, May was an outcast, unknown!
There a slender form, a faded dress with face of beauty still,
Now slowly enters at the mansion door;
Where two sisters meet, one sobs aloud, her pleading cries are shrill
"Oh, sister Nell, have pity I implore!"
My little May the past forget, in dreams you now awake!
Our dear mother must not know, her poor old heart would break;
She reels, then falls in Nellie's arms; God sent her sweet repose;
She is dead; alas! her "Book of Life" I close.
Nellie and May, sisters were they, both from the same old home.
Nellie was grand, wealth at command, May was an outcast, unknown!