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.