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 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 prayed
She said "Willy, don't you murder me -
I'm unprepared for eternity"

I took her by her lily-white hands
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
Thinking of what I'd done
I killed a girl, my love you see
'Cause she would not marry me

The very next morn', about half past four
The sherif came, he knocked on my door
He said young man, come now and go
To the banks of The Ohio