Banks of the Ohio

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

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