A comic 1906 song.
words by Arthur J. Lamb
music by Alfred Solman
A duplicitous woman takes advantage of a naïve young man.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- Every Saturday, Willie got his pay
Then he’d call for Nell
Trousers neatly pressed and 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
And in its quiet way, it had a lot to say
As the lovers strolled along
Refrain
“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, and said, “Oh ain’t it grand?”
Nellie winked the other eye
Refrain
“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!”
Said the bird on Nellie’s hat
“And Willie is the fish she’s going 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”
Refrain
“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?”
“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.
The Bird On Nellie’s Hat has the same tune as the older tune The Two Obadiahs!
Sung here by Fred Feild: