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
Only say that you'll be mine
In our home where happy be
Down beside where the waters flow
On the banks of the Ohio
I held a knife against her breast
As into my arm she pressed
She said, "Willy 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
Where I throwed her in to drown
I watched her as she floated down
Was walkin' home
'Tween 12 and one
Thinking of what I've done
I've killed a girl
My love you see
'Cause she would not marry me
The very next morn' about half past four
Sheriff came and knocked on my door
He said, "Young man come now and go, to the banks of the Ohio"