Dora Dee

Dora Dee appeared in the three main collections of 1886, 1888 and 1892.

Chorus

There's not a maid in Ellerton
By half so fair to look upon -
In all the country round there's none
So sweet as Dora Dee.


The blood-red rose to passer by,
May show with pride its precious dye;
There's not a bloom can charm the eye
Like little Dora Dee.

Chorus


The linnet green its head may rear,
And pipe a note wild, sweet, and clear;
There's not a bird can charm the ear
Like little Dora Dee.

Chorus

The lady in yon castle grand,
May scores of noble lords command;
There's not a lady in the land
The peer of Dora Dee.

Chorus

This was another poem which appeared to lend itself easily to being made into a song.  I decided to use the first verse as a chorus.  The rest is virtually unchanged.  I don't yet know where Ellerton is.

The original poem is given below, from the 1886 & 1888 collections:

DORA DEE

There's not a may in Ellerton
By half so sweet to look upon - 
In all the country round there's none
        So sweet as Dora Dee

The blood-red rose to passer by,
May show with pride its precious dye;
There's not a bloom can charm the eye
        Like little Dora Dee

The linnet's self its head may rear,
And pipe a note wild, sweet, and clear;
There's not a bird can charm the ear
        Like little Dora Dee

The lady in yon castle grand,
May knees of noble lords command;
There's not a lady in the land
        The peer of Dora Dee.


Comments