Banks of the Ohio


I asked my love to take a walk
Just to walk a little way
As we walk, oh may we talk
All about our wedding day

    Only say that you'll be mine
    In our home we'll happy be
    Down beside where the waters flow
    Down by the banks of the Ohio

I took her by her lily white hand
And dragged her down that bank of sand
There I throwed her in to drown
I watched her as she floated down

Was walking home 'tween twelve and one
Thinkin' of what I had done
I killed the girl I loved you see
Because she would not marry me

The very next morn about half past four
The sheriff's men knocked at my door
Saying now young man come now and go
Down to the banks of the Ohio