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Also known as "De Floating Scow" Anonymous Baltimore: F. D. Benteen, 1847 (The Virginia Minstrels, No. 14) [There is a better known "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" that was written by James A. Bland in 1878, and that became the state song of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the 1940s. Any reference to a song with that title before 1878, however, is to this one, which was frequently performed before the Civil War. The playable version here is an instrumental. These are the published lyrics:] On de floating scow ob ole Virginny, I've worked from day to day, Raking among de oyster beds, To me it was but play; But now I'm old and feeble, An' my bones are getting sore, Den carry me back to ole Virginny To ole Virginny shore. CHORUS: Den carry me back to ole Virginny To ole Virginny shore, Oh, carry me back to ole Virginny, To ole Virginny shore. Oh, I wish dat I was young again, Den I'd lead a different life, I'd save my money and buy a farm, And take Dinah for my wife; But now old age, he holds me tight, And I cannot love any more, Oh, carry me back to ole Virginny, To ole Virginny shore. When I am dead and gone to roost, Lay de old tambo by my side, Let de possum and coon to my funeral go, For dey are my only pride; Den in soft repose, I'll take my sleep, An' I'll dream for ever more, Dat you're carrying me back to ole Virginny, To ole Virginny shore. |
 ARTISTS: THE CANEBRAKE MINSTRELS FIDDLE: "Justin Case"; BANJO: "Amos Nandy"; FLUTE & LEAD VOCALS: "Juba Lee"; BONES: "Williub Weaber"; TAMBOURINE: "Moses Linkum."  © 2004 THE CANEBRAKE MINSTRELS, All rights reserved. Adam Soroka Digital Media Center, Clemons Library |