I was born in East Virginia
North Carolina, I did go
There I met the fairest maiden
Her name and age I did not know

Her hair it was a light brown color
Cheeks that were a ruby red
On her dress she wore white lilies
Where I long to lay my head

I was born in East Virginia
North Carolina, I did go
There I met the fairest maiden
Her name and age I did not know

Cotton doves know my sorrows
Cotton doves don't know my pain
Once they've courted one another
They never fly away again

I was born in East Virginia
North Carolina, I did go
There I met the fairest maiden
Her name and age I did not know
Her name and age I did not know