"Oh! Carry Me Back" (1848)
As Sung by Christy's Minstrels
[Words? and Music?
by Edwin Pearce Christy, 1815-1862]
[from "Music of the Original Christy Minstrels,
The Oldest Established Band
in the United States,
As Arranged and Sung by Them
with Distinguish and Success
at all their Concerts.", No. 17]

New York: C. Holt Jr.
Boston: Oliver Ditson
[Source: 020/086@Levy]

1.
On the floating scow of old Virginny
  I toil'd from day to day,
A raking among the oyster beds
  It seemed to me like play
But now I feel, I'm getting old
  And cannot labor more,
So take me back to old Virginny
  To old Virginny shore.

[CHORUS sung after each verse]
O take me back to old Virginny
  To old Virginny shore
O carry me back to old Virginny
To old Virginny shore.

2.
Oh! if I was but young again,
  I'd live a different life,
My money I'd save, and buy a farm
  And take me a nice young wife,
But now old age has got me fast,
  And my bones are growing sore;
So take me back to old Virginny,
  To old Virginny shore.

3.
O when I'm dead and gone to rest,
  Lay de Banjo by my side,
Let de Possom and Coon to de funeral come,
  For dey is my only pride.
And when I take my sweet repose,
  I'll dream for ever more,
Thay you laid my bones in old Virginny,
  On old Virginny shore.