American Old Time Song Lyrics: 40 Bright Eyed Little Nell Of Narraganset Bay

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 40

BRIGHT-EYED LITTLE NELL OF NARRAGANSET BAY.

Full well do I remember my boyhood's happy hours.
The cottage and the garden where bloomed the fairest flowers,
The bright and sparkling water o'er which we used to sail
With hearts so gay, for miles away, before the gentle gale.
I had a dear companion, but she's not with me now,
The Illy of the valley is waving o'er her brow;
And I am sad and lonely, and mourning all the day
For bright-eyed, laughing little Nell of Narraganset Bay.

Chorus.
Toll, toll the bell, at early dawn of day,
For lovely Nell so quickly passed away;
Toll, toll the bell, a soft and mournful lay,
For bright-eyed, laughing little Nell of Narraganset Bay.

I loved the little beauty, my boat, it was my pride,
And with her close beside me, what joy the foam to ride!
She'd laugh with tone so merry, to see the waves go by,
As wildly blew the stormy wind, and murky was the sky.
Though lightnings flashed around us, And all was dark and drear,
We loved to brave old ocean, and never dreamed of fear;
The Arrow bounded onward, and darted through the spray,
With bright-eyed, laughing little Nell of Narragauset Bay.- Chorus.

One day from us she wandered, and soon, within the boat,
The cord was quickly loosened And with the tide afloat;
The treacherous bark flew lightly and swift before the wind,
While home and friends and all so dear were many miles behind.
Next day her form, all lifeless, was washed upon the beach;
I stood and gazed upon it. bereft of sense and speech.
'Tis years since thus we parted, but here I weep to-day
For bright-eyed, laughing little Nell of Narragauset Buy.-Chorus.