Mid-July 2024
East Virginia
Traditional English folk song from the Southern Appalachians; changes by Debra Milligan
He was born in east Virginia,
North Carolina he did roam,
There he met a fair pretty maiden,
Her name and age he did not know.
Her hair it was of a brightsome colour
and her lips were ruby red.
On her breast she wore white lilies
There he longed to lay his head.
In his heart she was his darling
At his gate she’d be welcome in
At his door he’d gladly meet her
If her love he could only win.
He’d rather be in some dark hollow
Where the sun refused to shine
Than to know
She’s another man’s woman
cause her love roamed far and wide.
Far in the night
he’s dreaming ‘bout her
And in the day
he’ll take no rest.
Just the thought of her,
his darling,
Sent aching pains
all through his breast.
When he is dead and in his coffin
With his face towards the sun
She’ll not come and look upon him
She’ll not see the deed
she had done.