American Old Time Song Lyrics: 28 My Little Nell

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 28

MY LITTLE NELL.
Copyright, 1888, by Willis Woodward & Co.
Words and Music by Wm Davis Hall.

What joy there is each evening for me when toil is done;
When work is o'er, then to return to wife and babe at home;
And when at night I reach my home, I see a sight most fair,
Thro' the window so wide I see them inside, my true wife And baby so dear;
My home is not a palace, nor a dwelling fit for king,
But everything within its doors is cosy, neat and clean;
A loving wife to share my life through poverty And strife,
And a baby as well, that none can excel, my little Nell.

Chorus.
Sleep thee on, my precious one. your mamma's always near
To cover up your tiny feet in case they should get bare;
She will sit and rock and watch the clock with joy no tongue can tell;
No gold could compel, or induce me to sell, my little Nell.

Last night I only slept to dream-I dreamed of leaving you-
What joy I felt when I awoke to find my dream untrue;
Fairy-like and innocent, so happy and so free,
With smiles of pure affection my baby will always greet me;
To see her play about the floor, now often her I tease;
And should she ask for anything, we've taught her to say "please;"
Her eyes so blue and heart so true, and lips of cherry red;
When her prayers they are said, she jumps into bed, my little Nell.-Chorus.

Little eyes of azure, describe them no one can,
Bright as stars that shine above, dearest, how I love
To fondly hug and to caress and place you to my breast,
And kiss you "good-night," then turn out the light, for baby to slumber and rest;
I think about her all the day, at sunset And at dawn,
With arms placed tightly 'round my neck, she wakes me every morn;
Throughout the land none half so grand, nor none that can excel
The pride of my home, sweet baby, my own, my little Nell.-Chorus.