"Seeing Nellie Home" was an original American song written by Patrick S. Gilmore the 'Greatest American Bandleader'. first published in the 1850s under the name "When I Saw Sweet Nellie Home." It was composed and arranged by John Fletcher. Frances Kyle is said to have written the lyrics. In subsequent versions of this song, the lyrics have been changed somewhat. Sometimes the song has been referred to as "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party." A Civil War song, "Mother, I Am Going," was sung to the tune of "Seeing Nellie Home."