I asked my love to take a walk Only for a little way And as we walked we'd have a talk Of our approaching wedding day And only say that you'll be mine And our home, so happy be Down beside some water flow On the banks of the Ohio I drew a knife across her breast As gently in my arms she pressed Crying "Oh, Willie, don't you murder me For I am unprepared to die" Then only say that you'll be mine And our home, so happy be Down beside some water flow On the banks of the Ohio I took her by her lily-white hand I let her down to the river strand I plunged her in where she would drown And stood and watched as she floated down Then only say that you'll be mine And our home, so happy be Down beside some water flow On the banks of the Ohio While walking home 'tween twelve and one Thinking of the deed I'd done I killed the girl that I loved best Because she would not be my bride Then only say that you'll be mine And our home, so happy be Down beside some water flow On the banks of the Ohio