I was born in East Virginia, to North Carolina I did go,
there I spied a fair young [D]lady, and her age
I did not know.

Her hair was dark in color, her cheeks were rosy red,
on her breast she wore white lilies, where I longed
to lay my head.

Oh, at my heart you are my darlin', at my door you're welcome in,
at my gate I'll always meet you, for you're the girl
I tried to win.

I'd rather be in some dark holler, where the sun refuse to shine,
than for you to be another man's darlin',and to know
you'll never be mine.