Nelly Bly! Nelly Bly! Bring the broom along
We'll sweep the kitchen clean, my dear and have a little song
Poke the wood, my lady love and make the fire burn
And while I take the banjo down, just give the mush a turn

Hi, Nelly! Ho Nelly!
Listen, love, to me
I'll sing for you and play for you
A dulcet melody
Hi, Nelly! Ho Nelly!
Listen, love, to me
I'll sing for you and play for you
A dulcet melody

Nelly Bly has a voice like a turtle dove
I hear it in the meadow and I hear it in the grove
Nelly Bly has a heart warm as a cup of tea
And bigger than the sweet potatoes down in Tennessee

Hi, Nelly! Ho Nelly!
Listen, love, to me
I'll sing for you and play for you
A dulcet melody
Hi, Nelly! Ho Nelly!
Listen, love, to me
I'll sing for you and play for you
A dulcet melody

Nelly Bly shuts her eye when she goes to sleep
When she wakens up again her eyeballs start to peep
The way she walks, she lifts her foot and then she bumps it down
And when it lights, there's music there in that part of the town

Hi, Nelly! Ho Nelly!
Listen, love, to me
I'll sing for you and play for you
A dulcet melody
Hi, Nelly! Ho Nelly!
Listen, love, to me
I'll sing for you and play for you
A dulcet melody