I asked my love to take a walk,
just a little way's with me
And as we walked, then we would talk
all about our wedding day.
(Chorus:)
Darling, 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 took her by her pretty white hand
I led her down the banks of sand
I plunged her in where she would drown
and watched her as she floated down.
Chorus
Returning home between twelve and one,
thinking: Lord, what a deed I've done
I'd killed the girl I love, you see,
because she would not marry me.
The very next day, at half past four,
the sheriff walked right to my door
He says: "Young man, don't try to run
You'll pay for this awful crime you've done!"
Chorus