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

Oh her hair was dark and curly
And her cheeks were rosy red
On her breast she wore a white Lilly
Where I longed to lay my head

I don’t want your green back dollar
I don’t want your watch and chain
All I want is your heart darlin’
Say you’ll take me back again

The ocean’s deep and I cant wade it
And I have no wings to fly
I must get my blue-eyed boatman
For to row me over the tide

I’ll go back to East Virginia
North Carolina ain’t my home
I’ll go back to East Virginia
Leave them North Carolinians alone

[1] I was born in East Virginia
North [4] Carolina I did [1] go
There I [4] met a fair young [1] maiden
And her [5] name I did not [1] know

Oh her hair was dark and curly
And her cheeks were rosy red
On her breast she wore a white Lilly
Where I longed to lay my head

I don’t want your green back dollar
I don’t want your watch and chain
All I want is your heart darlin’
Say you’ll take me back again

The ocean’s deep and I cant wade it
And I have no wings to fly
I must get my blue-eyed boatman
For to row me over the tide

I’ll go back to East Virginia
North Carolina ain’t my home
I’ll go back to East Virginia
Leave them North Carolinians alone