“The Floating Scow of Old Virginia”
In a little while he was able to tune the strings and rosin the bow. Then he set the fiddle to his shoulder and sang with it. ‘Oh If I was young again…’ — The Long Winter, Chapter 4, “October Blizzard”
The Floating Scow of Old Virginia was written by Charles White, and published in 1847 by Lee & Walker. Charles White (billed as “the black Apollo”) was a composer, arranger, and leader of White’s Serenaders, a popular minstrel troupe which performed primarily in New York City in the 1850s. White also managed the Melodian Minstrel Theater. Dan Emmett, composer of the familiar Little House song “Old Dan Tucker,” frequently performed with Charles White.
1. The floating scow of Old Virginny,
I’d work’d in from day to day,
A fishing ‘mongst de oyster beds,
To me it was but play.
But now I’m growing very old,
I cannot work any more,
So carry me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny’s shore.
[chorus] Den carry me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny’s shore,
Oh, carry me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny’s shore.
2. If I was only young again,
I’d lead a different life;
I’d save my money and buy a farm,
And take Dinah for my wife.
But now olf age, he holds me tight,
My limbs, dey are growing sore;
So take me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny’s shore.
3. And when I’m dead and gone,
Place this old banjo by my side,
Let the possum and coon to my funeral go,
For dey was always my pride.
And den in soft repose I’ll sleep,
And dream for eber more,
Dat you’ve carried me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny’s shore.
Oh, If I were young again,
I’d lead a different life,
Lay up some money and buy some land
And take Dinah for my wife.
But now I’m getting old and gray
I cannot work any more.
Oh carry me back
Oh, carry me back
To the old Virginia shore.
In The Long Winter, Laura Ingalls Wilder concluded this song in error with two lines from a Stephen Foster song, “Oh Boys, Carry Me Along.”
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Click on the above images to view a copy of original sheet music of “The Floating Scow of Old Virginia.”
“The Floating Scow of Old Virginia” (TLW 4), see also “Oh Boys, Carry Me Along”
“Oh, if I were young again, I’d lead a different life”