East Virginia Blues

I was born in East Virginia North Carolina I did go There I courted a fair young maiden But her age I did not know Oh her hair was dark and curly And her cheeks were rosy red On her breast she wore a lilly Where I longed to lay my head Molly dear, go ask your mother If you my bride might ever be If she says no, come back and tell me And I'll run away with thee No I'll not go ask my mother Where she lies on her bed of rest In her hand she holds a dagger To kill the man that I love best 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 don't want your green back dollar I don't want your watch and chain All I want is you my darling Say you'll take me back again For you know I'd like to see you At my door you're welcome in At my gate I'll always greet you For you're the girl I tried to win --- East Virginia Blues - Ralph Stanley