“East Virginia Blues” was made popular in the bluegrass world by the Stanley Brothers. This bluegrass banjo version is in the key of G. I arranged it with the advancing beginner in mind.

East Virginia Blues Bluegrass Banjo TAB

You’ll need to know your hammer-on’s, pull-offs, and slides as there is quite a bit of ornamentation in this banjo TAB. Here is the play-through of the banjo arrangement you are getting:

The TAB to this song is now in my BEYOND BEGINNER SONGBOOK, please visit my ETSY STORE to purchase.

East Virginia Blues Chords

G G G G

C C G G

G D G G

East Virginia Blues Lyrics

Like most folks tunes, the lyrics can change depending on the version you are listening to. Here are some common bluegrass lyrics. I’ve heard it done with even more verses.

I was born in East VirginiaNorth Carolina I did goThere I met a fair young ladyAnd her age I do not know

Her hair was dark in curly andHer cheeks were rosy redUpon her breast she wore white liliesWhere I longed to lay my head

The ocean’s deep and I can’t wade it
And I have no wings to fly
I’ll just get some blue-eyed boatman
For to row me o’er the tide

I’ll go back to East Virginia
North Carolina ain’t my home
I’ll go back to East Virginia
Leave old North Carolina alone

I don’t want your green back dollar
I don’t want your watch and chain
All I want is you my darling
Say you’ll take me back again