East Virginia Blues

Traditional

Key of C · Chords: I IV V

Verse 1

      C
I was born in East Virginia
      F              C
North Carolina I did go
        F                    C
There I courted a fair young maiden
                      C
But her age I did not know

Verse 2

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

Verse 3

Molly dear  go ask your mother
If you my bride might ever be
If she says no come back and tell me
And I’ll run away with thee

Verse 4

No I’ll not go ask my mother
Where she lies on her bed of rest
In her hand she holds a dagger
To kill the man that I love best

Verse 5

The ocean’s deep and I can’t wade it
And I have no wings to fly
I’ll just get some blue-eyed boatman
For to row me o’er the tide

Verse 6

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

Verse 7

I’ll go back to East Virginia
      F                 C
North Carolina ain’t my home
I’ll go back to East Virginia
Leave old North Carolina alone

Verse 8

Oh you know I’d like to see you
      F                   C
At my door you’re welcome in
      F                C
At my gate I’ll always greet you
                      G
For you’re the girl I tried to win