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 

Chorus:
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 arms 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 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 a girl, my love you see 
Because she would not marry me 

The very next morn about half past four 
The Sheriff came knocked at my door 
He said now young man come now and go 
Down to the Banks of the Ohio