320. Dear Nell

 

320 Dear Nell

 

'Dear Nell.' Sung by Miss Addie Hardin. Recorded as ms score at Ruther-
wood, Watauga county, 1922. Miss Hardin wrote July 17, 1922 : "Sent texts
for two songs. One should be called 'Dear Nell' instead of 'Dear Charlie.' The
text supplied had three stanzas of twelve lines each. As the tune, however, only
takes care of four lines, perhaps the text should be arranged in stanzas of foui
lines," as given below.

 

think me un - truth - f ul — Or treat me the least bit un - kind.-

For melodic relationship cf. **OFS iv 211, No. 735 A ; FSoA 70.
Scale: Heptachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: g. Structure: aaia2b (2,2,2,2).

2 'I've found we both are mistaken,
I know you never could suit me ;
I owe my heart to another,

Of course old friends can't agree.

3 'Please send me my ring and picture,
Also my letters and books ;

I'll close with many good wishes,
Respectfully, Charlie E. Brooks.'

4 'I received your letter, dear Charlie,
The last one you wrote to me,

I read it over and over.

Of course, old friends can't agree.

5 'As to your letters, dear Charlie,
I burned them as they came.
For fear that reading them over
Would cause my heart to inflame.

6 'Here is your picture, dear Charlie,
It's almost faded away,
Because I've kissed it so often,
And this you can tell Miss Gray.

7 'And here is your ring, dear Charlie,
Don't give it to her, I pray

Unless you tell her it was mine first,
I've worn it one year today.

8 'One year today, dear Charlie,
So happy and fair were both,

You vowed you would never forsake me ;
I've found you untrue to your oath.

9 'You may have my heart's best wishes,
You may have them all through life;
May your path be strewn with roses
And pretty young Alice your wife.

 

338 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE

10 'And now I must say farewell, love,
My letter forever must stand ;
But remember 1 am always and always
Forever and ever your friend, Nell.'

 

'Charlie Brooks.' Sung by Miss Gertrude Allen (later Mrs. Vaught), of Tay-
lorsville, Alexander county. Recorded at Durham, July 26, 1923. The phrase
"I went to the city" (measures 1-2) is melodically like that for "I left that city"
in 'Dear Nell,' the preceding song.

 

 

truth - ful; Don't think me the least bit un - kind. —

For melodic relationship cf. **FSoA 70, measures 1-4.

Scale: Heptachordal. Tonal Center: c. Structure: aba^bi (2,2,2,2) = aa^
(4,4).

 

'Charlie Brooks.' Sung by Miss Mary Strawbridge. Recorded at Durham in
1921. This song is also known as 'The Two Letters.' There is considerable
melodic relationship with 317A, above.

 

 

find I've changed my mind-

 

least un - kind. —

 

 

For melodic relationship cf. ***OFS iv 210-11, No. 735A ; **FSoA 70,
measures 1-4.

Scale: Heptachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: abaib^ (2,2,2,2).

There is another song entitled 'Leaving the City, Dear Nellie' sung by Mamie
Mansfield. The text, from which the missing words in Miss Strawbridge's ver-
.sion may be supplied, is as follows :

1 'I am leaving the city, dear Nellie,
I've finally changed my mind;

But hope you don't think me unworthy
Or deem me the least unkind.'

2 "Here is your picture, dear Charlie,
It's almost faded away

Because I kissed it so often,
And this you may tell Miss Gray.

3 'Here is your locket, dear Charlie,
It's just as good as new.

You'll find it among your letters,
As I send them all back to you.

4 'Here is your ring, dear Charlie,
O, pray do not give it to her
Unless you tell her it was once mine
And I wore it one year today.

5 'One year today, my dear Charlie,
Your letters are all at end.

But I want you to remember

I'm always and always your friend.'