East Virginia Blues
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics

I was born in East Virginia
The singer originates from East Virginia, and this detail is significant to the story being recounted.

North Carolina I did go
The singer left East Virginia to live in North Carolina for some period of time.

There I courted a fair young maiden
While in North Carolina, the singer began romantically pursuing a young woman.

But her age I did not know
The artist was unaware of the woman's age, which may become important to the developing story.

Oh her hair was dark and curly
The artist describes the young woman he is courting, providing a physical image of her appearance.

And her cheeks were rosy red
The singer continues to detail the woman's physical appearance.

On her breast she wore a lilly
The young woman wore a flower on her chest, which caught the singer's attention.

Where I longed to lay my head
The artist felt a strong desire to rest his head on the woman's chest and be close to her.

Molly dear, go ask your mother
The artist implores the young woman, named Molly, to ask her mother for her hand in marriage.

If you my bride might ever be
The artist wants Molly to inquire about whether or not her mother would approve of them getting married.

If she says no, come back and tell me
The singer is willing to revert to a plan B if Molly's mother rejects his potential proposal.

And I'll run away with thee
The artist suggests that if Molly's mother rejects them, he and Molly will run away together rather than being apart.

No I'll not go ask my mother
Molly declines to ask her mother for permission, which raises concerns for the singer.

Where she lies on her bed of rest
Molly's mother is dead and resting in bed, which explains why Molly cannot ask for her blessing.

In her hand she holds a dagger
Now knowing that Molly's mother has passed away, the singer is concerned about why she would have a dagger.

To kill the man that I love best
The artist realizes that the dagger belonged to Molly's mother as a protective measure, intended to kill any man who hurt her daughter.

The ocean's deep and I can't wade it
The artist is unable to swim well enough to cross the ocean.

And I have no wings to fly
Since he cannot cross the ocean by swimming or flying, the singer needs a different way to get across.

I'll just get some blue-eyed boatman
The singer plans to locate and enlist the help of a boatman with blue eyes to help him cross the ocean.

For to row me o'er the tide
The boatman will row the artist across the water to his destination.

I'll go back to East Virginia
The artist expresses his intention to return to his home in East Virginia.

North Carolina ain't my home
The artist clarifies that he never felt that North Carolina was really his home.

I don't want your green back dollar
The singer doesn't care about financial possessions and would rather have love and companionship.

I don't want your watch and chain
The artist is further emphasizing that material possessions are not what he desires most.

All I want is you my darling
The singer's sole desire is to be with the woman he loves, represented by Molly.

Say you'll take me back again
The singer is begging Molly to give him another chance and agrees to leave North Carolina to be with her.

For you know I'd like to see you
The singer is reassuring Molly that he is sincere in his feelings for her and truly wants to see her.

At my door you're welcome in
Molly is invited to visit the artist any time she wants, as he is eager to see her as often as possible.

At my gate I'll always greet you
The artist promises to be waiting for Molly whenever she comes by to see him, always happy to welcome her.

For you're the girl I tried to win
The song concludes with the singer acknowledging that his true love is Molly, who he has worked hard to woo and win over.