Oh, once I lived in Old Virginny To North Carolina I did go There I saw a nice young lady Oh, her name I did not know Her hair was black and her eyes was sparkling On her cheeks were diamonds red And on her breast she wore a lily To mourn the tears that I have shed Oh, when I'm asleep I dream about her When I'm awake I see no rest Every moment seems like an hour Oh, the pains that cross my breast Oh Molly dear, go ask your mother If you my bride can ever be If she says no, come back and tell me And never more will I trouble thee Last night as I laid on my pillow Last night as I laid on my bed Last night as I laid on my pillow I dreamed that fair, young lady was dead No, I won't go ask my mother She's lying on her bed of rest And in one hand she holds a dagger To kill the man that I love best Now go and leave me if you want to Then from me you will be free For in your heart you love another And in my grave I'd rather be