I was born in East Virginia, North Carolina I did go
There I spied a fair young maiden and her name I did not know
Oh, her hair was dark and curly, and her cheeks were rosy red
Upon her breast she wore white lilies, where I longed to lay my head
Oh, in my heart you are my darling, at my door you're welcome in
At my gate I'll always greet you, for you're the girl I tried to win
Oh, Molly dear go ask you mother, my loving bride you'll forever be
If she says no, come back and tell me and I will run away with thee
The ocean's deep and I can't wade it and I have no wings to fly
All I need's a blue eyed boatman for to row me o'er the tide
I'm goin' back to East Virginia, North Carolina ain't my home
Goin' back to East Virginia, leave old North Carolina alone