The Bird on Nellie's Hat 1907

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 16 May 2006
2006

Ev'ry Saturday, Willie got his pay,
then he'd call for Nell,
trousers neatly pressed
and nice white vest,
buttonholed bouquet as well;
On Nellie's little hat there was a little bird,
that little bird knew lots of things, it did,
upon my word;
and in it's quiet way,
it had a lot to say,
as the lovers strolled along:

"I'll be your little honey,
I will promise that!"
said Nellie as she rolled her dreamy eyes.
"It's a shame to take the money!"
said the bird on Nellie's hat,
"Last night she said the same to Johnny Wise!"
Then to Nellie Willie whispered
as they fondly kissed:
"I'll bet that you were never kissed like that!"
"Well, he don't know Nellie like I do!"
said the saucy little bird on Nellie's hat.

In a shady nook, by the quiet brook,
Nell and Willie fish,
lips together meet in kisses sweet,
love is such a dainty dish;
then Nellie said to Will
Such pretty things galore,
but ev'rything that Nellie said
the bird had heard before;
and as he took her hand,
and said: "Oh, ain't it grand!"
Nellie winked the other eye:

"Now I haven't caught a fish,
what do you think of that!"
said Nellie with a most bewitching look.
"You can bet she knows her bus'ness!"
said the bird on Nellie's hat,
"and Willie is the fish she's goin' to hook!"
"Oh, it's twelve o'clock," said Willie,
as he took her home;
"I'll bet you're never out as late as that!"
"Well, he don't know Nellie like I do!"
said the saucy little bird on Nellie's hat.

Autumn came along,
love's young dream all wrong;
Will went round to call,
servant with a grin said:
"She's not in!
Nellie's gone away, that's all!"
Poor Willie's heart was broke,
his life seemed all in vain,
until upon Fifth Avenue
he met his Nell again;
said he: "We meet once more!"
said she: "Love's dream is o'er!
but we can be real good friends:"

"And I'll keep your presents, honey,
just for old times' sake!" said Nellie
as she rolled her dreamy eyes.
"She has fixed him good and plenty!"
said the bird on Nellie's hat,
"Oh, Willie, Willie,
when will you be wise!"
Well, but how about the diamond engagement ring?
"Of course," said Willie, "you'll return me that!"
"Well he don't know Nellie like I do!"
said the saucy little bird on Nellie's hat.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
The Bird on Nellie's Hat 1907
Music by Alfred Solman
Lyrics by Arthur J. Lamb
© MCMVI by Jos. W. Stern & Co.
*
sequence and karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Tuesday 16 May 2006 at 20.29
in association with Doug Grierson
*