The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #35233   Message #769007
Posted By: GUEST,Guest- Richie
21-Aug-02 - 06:45 AM
Thread Name: Help: Age of 'East Virginia'?
Subject: Lyr Add: EAST VIRGINIA (from Cecil Sharp)
Here's Sharp's Version A: Note the similarity of verse 4 with Browning's famous "Dark Hollow" (I'd rather be in some dark hollow where the sun refused to shine). Also note the similarity to Tami LaRue's "Think of What You've Done" (Darling, thin of what you've done) with Sharp's Verse 5 last line.

EAST VIRGINIA- (Sharp No. 167, "In Old Virginny")
Sung by Judy Baker- Harlan Co. KY, Aug. 31, 1917 (Dark Hollow Text- Browning) (Darling, Think of What You've Done- Rakes)

1. I was born in old Virginny,
South Carolina I did go,
Courted there a fair young lady,
O her name I don not know.

2. Her hair was of a dark brown colour,
And her cheeks was rosy red,
On her breast, she wore white lilies,
And tears for her I shed.

3. In my heart I love you darling,
To my door, you're welcome in,
At my gate I love you darling,
Here's the one I'm trying to win.

4. I'd rather be on some dark blue ocean,
Where the sun refused to shine,
For you to love another girl darling,
And to think you'll never be mine.

5. I'd rather be dead in my coffin,
My pale face turned towards the sun,
Than to think of you my darling,
And to think of what you've done.

6. Here's your letter and your postals,
Lie them closely by your heart,
The ring you gave to me, my darling,
From my finger will never part.

Richie