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HARD TIMES IN OLD VIRGINIA Lead: Peter

A cargo-loading chantey from the Georgia Sea Islands that Slave stevedores sang as they loaded Georgia-grown pine into the ship's hold. I first heard this sung at Mystic Seaport by Barry Finn, of New Hampshire. This version was learned from an Alan Lomax field recording, sung by John Davis and group. Lomax cites this as one of the earliest African American work songs.

LYRICS:

Oh, in old Virginia
Chorus: Hard times in old Virginia
Oh, in old Virginia
Chorus: Hard times in old Virginia

My old Missus is a rich old lady
Seven servants around her table

Oh, in old Virginia
Oh, in old Virginia

Seven servants around her table
Seven more to roll the baby around, sir

Oh, in old Virginia
Oh, in old Virginia

I've got a bucket and I'm going tomorrow
Fetch it to the well, gonna draw some water

Oh, in old Virginia
Oh, in old Virginia

Parch you corn and lay by the fire
Parch you corn and lay by the fire

Oh, in old Virginia
Oh, in old Virginia