I was born in east Virginia
North Carolina I did roam
There I met a fair pretty maiden
Her name and age, I do not know
Her hair, it was of a bright some color
And her lips of a ruby red
On her breast she wore white lilies
There I longed to lay my head
Well, in my heart you are my darling
And at my door, you’re welcome in
At my gate, I’ll meet you my darling
If your love I could only win
I’d rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun refused to shine
Then to see you another man’s darling
And to know that you’ll never be mine
Well, in the night I’m dreaming about you
In the day, I find no rest
Just the thought of you my darling
Sends aching pains all through my breast
Well, when I’m dead and in my coffin
With my feet turned toward the sun
Come and sit beside me darling
Come and think on the way you done