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 brightsome color
And her lips of ruby red.
On her breast she wore white lilies;
There I longed to lay my head.
Well, in my heart you are my darlin',
At my door you are welcome in.
At my gate I'll meet you, my darlin';
If your love I could only win.
I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun refused to shine
Than to see you be another man's darlin
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 darlin',
Sends aching pain all through my breast.
Well, when I'm dead and in my coffin
With my feet turned towards the sun
Come and sit beside me, darlin',
Come and think of the way you've done.
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 brightsome color
And her lips of ruby red.
On her breast she wore white lilies;
There I longed to lay my head.
Well, in my heart you are my darlin',
At my door you are welcome in.
At my gate I'll meet you, my darlin';
If your love I could only win.
I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun refused to shine
Than to see you be another man's darlin
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 darlin',
Sends aching pain all through my breast.
Well, when I'm dead and in my coffin
With my feet turned towards the sun
Come and sit beside me, darlin',
Come and think of the way you've done.