Dear Evelina, Sweet Evelina
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Lesley Nelson-Burns
Information
Lyrics

This song was published in New York in 1863 with the notation that the words were by M. and the melody by T. The music also notes that it was printed "As Sung by all the Minstrel Bands," so it may have been known earlier. It was also printed in Philadelphia. It was popular among Confederate troops in the Civil War and was said to be one of J.E.B. Stuart's favorite songs. The song regained popularity in the 1920s.

There was a Civil War songsheet The retreat of the grand army from Bull Run, which was sung to the melody Sweet Evelina.

Copies of the sheet music can be found at the Lester Levy Collection of Sheet Music

Way down in the meadow where the lily first blows,
Where the wind from the mountains ne'er ruffles the rose;
Lives fond Evelina, the sweet little dove,
The pride of the valley, the girl that I love.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall never, never die.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall, never, never die.

She's fair as a rose, like a lamb she is meek,
And she never was known to put paint on her cheek;
In the most graceful curls hangs her raven black hair,
And she never requires perfumery there.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall never, never die.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall, never, never die.

Evelina and I, one fine evening in June,
Took a walk all alone by the light of the moon.
The planets all shone, for the heavens were clear,
And I felt round the heart most tremendously queer.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall never, never die.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall, never, never die.

Three years have gone by, and I've not got a dollar;
Evelina still lives in that green grassy holler.
Although I am fated to marry her never,
I've sworn that I'll love her for ever and ever.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall never, never die.
Dear Evelina, sweet Evelina,
My love for thee shall, never, never die.
Related Links
From
The Scottish Students' Songbook and
See Bibliography for full information.
And forum threads at Digital Tradition.