East Virginia

I was born in East Virginia
North Carolina I did go
There I met the fairest maiden
But her name I do not know

Her hair, it was a bright-some colour
And her cheeks were rosy red
On her breast she wore white lilies
All the tears that I have shed

In my heart you are my darling
At my door you're welcome in
At my gate I'll always meet you
If your love I could only win

In the night I'm dreaming of you
In the day I find no rest
Just the thought of you, my darling
Sends aching pains all through my breast

I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun refused to shine
Than to see you with another one, darling
To know you never will be mine

Oh, when I'm dead and in my coffin
With my face towards the sun
Come and look upon me, darling
See the deed that you have done