in my little red canoe, While my banjo sweetly I would play. One night I went to see her, but "She's gone!" the neighbors say. The white man bound her with his chain; They have taken her to Georgia for to wear her life away, As she toils in the cotton and the cane. My canoe is under water, and my banjo is unstrung; I'm tired of living any more; My eyes shall look downward, and my song shall be unsung While I stay on the old Kentucky shore. My eyes are getting blinded, and I cannot see my way. Hark! there's somebody knocking at the door. Oh! I hear the angels calling, and I see my Nelly Gray. Farewell to the old Kentucky shore. Chorus Oh, my darling Nelly Gray, up in heaven there they say, That they'll never take you from me any more. I'm a-coming-coming-coming, as the angels clear the way, Farewell to the old Kentucky shore! Gallery See also Passamezzo moderno Notes External links Text and RealAudio for versions collected in the field by Max Hunter: Cat. #1440 (MFH #764) - As sung by Otis Williams, Wesley, Arkansas. (Fall), 1967 Cat. #1097 (MFH #764) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on June 9, 1970 American folk songs Songs written by Benjamin Hanby 1856 songs