I was born in East Virginia
North Carolina I did go
There I courted a fair young maiden
And her name I did not know

Well her hair was dark in color
And her cheeks were rosy red
Upon her breast she wore white lilies
Where I longed to lay my head

In my heart, you are my darling
At my door, you're welcome in
At my gate, I'll always meet you
For you're the girl, I tried to win

I don't want your greenback dollar
I don't want your watch and chain
All I want is you my darling
Say you'll take me back again

The ocean's deep and I can't wade it
And I have no wings to fly
I'll just get some blue-eyed boatman
For to row me o'er the tide

I'll go back to East Virginia
North Carolina ain't my home
I'll go back to East Virginia
Leave old North Carolina alone

I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun don't ever shine
Than for you to be another man's darling
When you promised to be mine

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