The Banks of the Ohio
Love's Tragic Turn: The Banks of the Ohio Tale
Lyrics
I asked my love to take a walk
I requested my love to go for a walk
Take a walk just a little ways
Take a stroll for a short distance
And as we walked, along we talk
As we walked together, we conversed
All would be our wedding day
We discussed our future wedding day
And only say that you'll be mine
Expressing a desire for exclusivity and commitment
In no others arms entwined
Requesting not to be romantically involved with anyone else
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the side of the flowing waters
Down by the banks of the Ohio
By the banks of the Ohio River
I asked her if she'd marry me
I proposed marriage to her
And my wife forever be
Asking her to be my wife forever
She only turned her head away
She turned away, refusing to respond
And had no other words to say
Had no words to express her thoughts or feelings
And only say that you'll be mine
Reiteration of the desire for commitment and exclusivity
In no others arms entwined
Emphasizing the wish not to be romantically involved with another
Down beside where the waters flow
Next to the flowing water
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Along the banks of the Ohio River
I plunged a knife into her breast
I stabbed her in the chest with a knife
And told her she was going to rest
Announcing her impending death
She cried "Oh Willy, don't murder me
She pleaded with me not to kill her
I'm not prepared for eternity"
Expressed her unpreparedness for death
I took her by her golden curls
I grabbed her by her golden hair
And drug her down to the river side
Dragged her to the riverside
And there I threw her into drown
Threw her into the water to drown
And I watched her as she floated down
Watched her body float down the river
And only say that you'll be mine
Repeated desire for exclusivity and commitment
In no others arms entwined
Reiterating not to be romantically involved with others
Down beside where the waters flow
Next to the flowing water
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Along the banks of the Ohio River
And going home between twelve and one
Reflecting on the actions between midnight and one in the morning
I cried "Oh Lord, what have I've done?"
Regretting the heinous act and seeking divine forgiveness
I've killed the only girl I love
Realizing the murder of the woman he loved
Because she would not marry me
Due to her refusal to marry him
And only say that you'll be mine
Repeating the desire for exclusivity and commitment
In no others arms entwined
Insisting on not being romantically involved with another
Down beside where the waters flow
Next to the flowing water
Down by the banks of the Ohio
By the banks of the Ohio River
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