Verse 1: When the silver moon is beaming, thro' the tree tops softly gleaming,
And the blossoms, birds and bees have gone to rest,
That's the time you'll find me straying, where the yellow corn is waving,
With the girl I love the dearest and the best;
'Round her waist so small and slender steals my arm while soft and tender,
Are the words I murmur when my Bess is near;
Though no blush her face is showing, still her eyes with love are glowing,
As I take her hand and whisper in her ear.

Chorus: You're the sunshine of old Virginia,
My Black Bess,
Now honey, can't you guess?
My love then I'll confess;
Won't you kiss me my little sweetheart?,
Answer yes;
I love but you, indeed I do,
My own Black Bess.

Verse 2: Now my heart is growing lighter, all this world to me seems brighter,
For the sunshine makes the clouds all disappear,
And the day will soon be dawning, and the birds will sing that morning,
When I wed the one black gal I love so dear;
For she loves me and I know it, for she cannot help but show it,
'Cause I see the love-light shining in her eye;
As my sweetheart none were nearer, as my wife she'll still be dearer,
There'll be none so happy as my Bess and I.

Chorus: You're the sunshine of old Virginia,
My Black Bess,
Now honey, can't you guess?
My love then I'll confess;
Won't you kiss me my little sweetheart?,
Answer yes;
I love but you, indeed I do,
My own Black Bess.