Who thanked the Lord for the clothes That she wore and mended? Nellie with the big old-fashioned eyes Who won the heart of a crowd Tore apart, took a bow? Nellie, there's a different world backstage. I see the floodlights burning I hear the band play on Now Nellie takes her bow. She said she really could not stay Nellie, she had a brand-new play to play And so she paints her face and smiles And she'll be someone else in a while. I see the floodlights burning I hear the band play on Now Nellie takes her bow. Just a lonely girl Who could not face a broken world, And so she acts out all her dreams And wishes that's how it had been But when the audience is near, It seems as though she doesn't even care. Nellie just sent me a line To tell me she was doing fine She got the lead and on Broadway And really digging her today And so she turns that doggone page, Living someone's life upon the stage. I see the floodlights burning I hear the band play on Now Nellie takes her bow.