Banks of the Ohio
Tragic Love Unveiled: Banks of the Ohio Tale
Lyrics
I went into his prison cell
The narrator entered the prison cell of someone.
To write his story, if he'd tell
The narrator intended to write the person's story if they were willing to share.
He spoke as tears, fell from his eyes
The person spoke while crying.
And he told me when, and how and why
They recounted the details of when, how, and why something occurred.
And he said
A transition in the story without specific content.
I asked my love to take a walk
The narrator asked their beloved to take a stroll.
Just to walk, a little ways
To walk a short distance.
And as we walked, then we could talk
During the walk, they planned to discuss their upcoming wedding.
About our future wedding day
About their future marriage.
But when she said, she could never be mine
The narrator's beloved rejected them.
Well I held a knife against her breast
The narrator threatened their beloved with a knife.
As into my arms she pressed
Despite the threat, the beloved leaned into the narrator's arms.
She cried "my love, don't you murder me
The beloved pleaded not to be murdered.
'Cause I'm not prepared for eternity"
The beloved expressed not being ready to die.
Then only say that you'll be mine
The narrator desires exclusivity in their beloved's affection.
And in no others' arms entwine
Asking for commitment to only be with the narrator.
Down beside where the waters flow
Near the flowing waters, a significant location.
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Near the banks of the Ohio River, a setting for the events.
I started home twixt twelve and one
The narrator began their journey back home.
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
The narrator regretted their actions.
I've killed the one I love tonight
The narrator realized they have killed their beloved.
Because she would not be my bride
The reason for the murder was the beloved's refusal to marry.
Well only say that you'll be mine
A repetition of the desire for exclusive commitment.
And in no others' arms entwine
Repeated plea for commitment only to the narrator.
Down beside where the waters flow
Referencing the location again by the flowing waters.
Down by the banks of the Ohio
A reaffirmation of the location by the Ohio River banks.
Down by the banks of the Ohio
A repetition of the Ohio River banks.
Save my soul Lord
A plea for spiritual redemption.
Save my soul
Reiterated plea for salvation near the riverbanks.
There beside where the waters flow
A reference to the specific location again.
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Reiteration of the setting by the Ohio River.
Comment