I was born in old East Virginia,
North Carolina I did roam.
There I met me a fair, pretty maiden.
What was her age, I did not know.

Her hair it was of a dark brown curly,
And her lips, a rosy red.
On her breast she wore a ribbon.
Oh, the tears that I have shed.

Her papa said that we might marry.
Her mama said it would not do.
Some dark night if you’ll take a ramble
I will run away with you.

For I’d rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun refuse to shine.
As for you to be another man’s woman,
Never on earth to call you mine.