Tha other night I ad a dream,
tha straengust dream a oll.
I dreamt that I waz kessen ee
behynd tha garden wall.

An ee said…
Liddel eyes, I luv ee , (onee)
Liddel eyes, I luv ee,
I luv en tha sprengtime an tha fall.
(onee, onee)
Liddel eyes, I luv ee,
Liddel eyes, I luv ee, (onee)
I luv ee tha best a oll.
(onee, onee, onee)

 
 Now tell me onee, tell me do,
oo es tha waun you luv?
Oa tell me onee tell me do,
oo es yer turtle dove?

I tuk me baabee oam last night
beneath tha spreaden vine,
I put me arm arownd er waest
an pressed er lips t’ mine.

I went t’ call, fer me best maed
er bulldawg flew at me.
Et bit me en tha ol back porch
beside tha maepel tree.

 
 

Apparently a popular song adapted by ‘the folk process’, it was recorded by the Deep River Boys in the 1950s, but its origins are not truly known. It seems likely to be from American barbershop quartet repertoire. This song quickly became a favourite with Cornish Dialect singers and they instinctively modified the title from Lil Lize to Little Eyes.

 
This version reflects the way it is sung across Cornwall.
 

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