IOLA
(Charles L. Johnson / James O'Dea,   1906)


Many, many years ago, 
In a valley where the prairie roses grow
Once there lived an Injun Queen of sweet sixteen. 
Who never knew a care. 
To her lodge beneath the tree, 
Came a copper colored aboriginee, 
To this maiden sightly, 
He would nightly warble there.

To that ditty singing brave 
Not a shadow of encouragement she gave, 
Nightly he would sigh for hours and send her flowers, 
The while his love he told, 
And he persevered so well 
That at last he won his copper colored belle, 
With this serenade he woos his lady as of old.

My sweet Iola, Iola, list to me, 
My dream of bliss to be, 
Come throw a kiss to me. 
For you, I'm waiting, 
Here 'neath the stars a shine 
My love please don't decline, 
Iola mine.