Nelly Bly [CF:392-02592]

This delightful love song alludes, in the first verse, to “bring the broom along;” probably referring to the African-American wedding custom of “jumping the broom.” The singer’s affection for Nelly is shown in the verse, “heart warm as (a) cup of tea; And bigger than the sweet potato down in Tennessee.” Years after it was published it was adopted as a campaign song for Abraham Lincoln.