BIRD ON NELLIE'S HAT,
 THE

(Arthur J Lamb / Alfred Solman 1907)

as recorded by Maidie Scott
1915


Every Saturday,
Willie got his pay,
Then he'd call for Nell.
Trousers neatly pressed
And a nice white vest,
Button-hole 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!
In its 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 a 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 everything that Nellie said
That bird had heard before!
And as he took her hand
She sighed, "Oh ain't it grand";
Birdie winks 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 business!, says the bird on Nellie's hat,
"And Willie is the fish she's going to hook!"
"Oh its 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,
Loves 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 broken,
Life seemed all in vain;
In walking down Tralgar Square
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 time's 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?"
"Yes 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 ...




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - January 2017)