When I left old East Virginia North Carolina I did roam

There I met a fair your maiden her virgin name I did not know

Her hair was darken colored and her cheeks were rosy red

Upon her breast she wore white lilies where I longed to lay my head

[ fiddle ]

I was just from East Virginia with a heart so brave and cruel

And I learned to love this maiden with the eyes of heavenly blue

In my heart she was my darling at my door she was welcome in

At my gate I always leave her she was the girl I tried to win

[ dobro ]

Then one day she packed her suitcase told me she was goin' away

I followed her down so the station said my darling won't you stay

I'd rather be in some dark hollow where the sun don't ever shine

For you to be another man's darling and I know you'll never be mine

[ banjo ]

She got aboard that train and left me I'm nothing now the trouble I see

There will be no more pleasure in this whole wide world for me