[Verse 1]
I was born in east Virginia
North Carolina I did roam
And there I met a fair young maiden
Her name and age I do not know, oh

[Verse 2]
Her hair was so dark and curly
And her cheeks were rosy red
On her breast she wore white lilies
There I longed my head to rest, oh

[Verse 3]
I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun refused to shine
Than to see you with another
And to know you'll never be mine, oh