Banks Of The Ohio

(album: American Folk Songbook - 2011)

I asked my love to take a walk
To take a walk just a little ways
And as we walked then we would talk
All about our wedding day

Only say that you'll be mine
In no other arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

I asked her will she marry me
And my wife forever be
She only turned her head away
And had no other words to say

I held my knife against her breast
And told her she was going to rest
She cried, "Oh Willy! Don't murder me!
I'm not prepared for eternity"

I took her by her lily white hand
And led her down the bank of sand
And there I threw her in to drown
And watched her as she floated down

And going home between 12 and one
I cried, "Dear Lord, what have I done?
I've killed the only girl I love
Because she would not marry me"