I asked my love to take a walk,
Just a little way's with me.
An' as we walked,

Then we would talk
All about our wedding day.


[Chorus]
"Darlin', 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,
An' watched her as she floated down.


[Chorus]

Returnin' home between twelve and one,

Thinkin', 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 don."

[Chorus]