I asked my love to take a walk, just a walk, a little way.
And 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, on the banks of the Ohio.
I held a knife against her breast.
As into my arm she pressed, she said,
Willie, don't you murder me, I'm unprepared for eternity.
I took her by her lily-white hand, and dragged her down that bank of sand.
There I throwed her into drown, I watched her as she floated down.
Was walking home, tween twelve and one, thinking of what I'd done.
I killed a girl, my love you see.
I killed a girl, my love you see.


Cause she would not marry me.
The very next morning, about half past four.
The sheriff came, he knocked on my door.
He said, young man, come now and go, to the banks of the Ohio.
Thank you.