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]