Historic Sheet Music Collection

Title

Dearest Mae

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1847

Comments

Dearest Mae
a celebrated Ethiopian Song
sung by the Harmoneons
the words by Francis Lynch
the music by James Power
composed for the piano forte by L.V.H. Crosby.
196 Chesnut St., Philadelphia : A. Fiot ; 515 Broadway, New York : W. Dubois

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Lyrics

Now Niggers listen to me, a story I'll relate;
It happen'd in de vally, in de Old Carlina state;
Way down in de meadow, 'twas dare I mow'd de hay;
I always work de harder, when I think ob lubly Mae.

CHORUS
Oh! dearest Mea
You'r lubly as the day,
Your eyes are bright,
Dey shine at night,
When de moon am gwane away!

Old Massa gib me a Holiday an'say he'd gib me more,
I tank'd him berry kindly an' shoved my boat from shore;
So down de river I glides along wid my heart so light and free,
To de cottage ob my lubly Mae I'd long'd so much to see.
CHORUS

On the banks of de river whar de trees day hang so low,
De coon along thar branches play, while de mink he keeps below;
Oh! dar is de spot an Mae she looks so neat,
Her eyes dey sparkle like de stars, her lips are red as beet.
CHORUS

Behead de shady old oak tree, we sat for many an hour,
Happy as de Bussard bird dat flies about de flower;
But oh dear Mae I leff her she cried when boff we parted,
I bid sweet Mea a long farewell and back to Massa started.
CHORUS

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