The only evidence on the age is anecdotal ("heard in the early 90's" etc.) I will try the Levy and Bodleian sites for English ancestors using "Fond Affection," etc. The Carters sang this one (see reference in Masato Sakurai, above). It may be their own, since the last three verses do not seem to appear in the versions I have turned up. No, I don't know why "little sister" appears. Lyr. Add: "EAST VIRGINIA BLUES # 2 (Carter) My sweetheart has gone and left me And my little sister too I am left alone in sadness Lord I don't know what to do. All this world is turned against me Nothing but trouble do I see There will be no more pleasure In this whole wide world for me. I am just from East Virginia With a heart that's brave and true Now I learned to love a maiden With eyes of heavenly blue. That same day I packed my suitcase And I started to go away But she met me at the station Saying darling won't you stay. I am dying, captain, dying Won't you take those words for me Take them over to the jail house Let this whole wide world go free. "She" always seems to have something white on her breast(s): White lilies A white lily White flowers White linen Her hair was: A light brown color Dark and curly A brightsome color A lightsome color Dark in color The Carter Family had several different versions of East Virginia Blues. Guest, above, quotes a 1934 version. Here is the 1941 version mentioned by Masato, who gives the link to the Honking Duck audio: Lyr. Add: EAST VIRGINIA BLUES (Carter) I was born in East Virginia To North Carolina I did go There I spied a fair young lady And her age I did not know. Her hair was dark in color Her cheeks were rosy red Upon her breast she wore white lilies Where I longed to lay my head. Oh, at my heart you are my darlin' At my door you're welcome in At my gate I'll always meet you For you're the girl I tried to win. I'd rather be in some dark holler Where the sun refuse to shine Than for you to be another man's darlin' And to know you'll never be mine. Another verse that links to other songs (from a note of mine marked Canada ??): O take me to that marble orchard Carve my name upon a stone Tell the world I died her lover And I died for love alone.
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