Lyrics
Oh, listen to my story, I'll tell you no lies,
Introduction, setting the stage for the story to follow.
How John Lewis did murder poor little Omie Wise.
John Lewis murdered Omie Wise.
He told her to meet him at Adams's Springs.
He arranged to meet her at Adams's Springs.
He promised her money and other fine things.
He promised her money and other luxuries.
And, fool-like she met him at Adams's Springs.
Despite being naive, Omie met John Lewis at Adams's Springs.
But no money he brought her nor other fine things.
He didn't bring the promised money or gifts.
"Go with me, little Omie, and away we will go.
John Lewis persuades Omie to go away with him secretly.
We'll go and get married and no one will know."
He convinces her they'll get married secretly.
She jumped up behind him and away they did go,
They rode together to a river with deep waters.
But down to the river where deep waters flow.
Arrived at a riverbank where deep waters flowed.
"John Lewis, John Lewis, want you tell to me your mind?
Omie questions John Lewis about their relationship.
Do you intend to marry me or leave me behind?"
She asks if he plans to marry her or abandon her.
"Little Omie, little Omie, I'll tell to you my mind.
John Lewis admits his intention to drown Omie.
My mind is to drown you and leave you behind."
He plans to drown her and leave her behind.
"Have mercy on my baby and spare me my life,
Omie pleads for her life and her baby's.
I'll go home as a beggar and never be your wife."
She offers to live as a beggar instead of being his wife.
He hugged her and kissed her and turned her around,
John Lewis embraces Omie, then pushes her into the water.
Then pushed her in deep waters where he knew that she would drown.
He pushes her where he knows she'll drown.
Then he got on his pony and away he did ride,
John Lewis flees on his pony after the murder.
As the screams of little Omie went down by his side.
Omie's screams as she drowns accompany him.
T'was on a Thursday morning, the rain was pouring down,
Describes the day of the incident with rain pouring.
When the people searched for Omie but she could not be found.
Search for Omie by the community but she's not found.
Then two boys went a-fishin' one fine summer day,
Two boys fishing find Omie's body floating.
And saw little Omie's body go floating away.
They discover Omie's body in the water.
They threw their net around her and drew her to the bank.
They retrieve Omie's body from the water using a net.
Her clothes all wet and muddy, they laid her on a plank.
Her clothes are wet and muddy as they bring her ashore.
And they call for John Lewis to come to that place --
They call for John Lewis to witness the consequences.
And brought her out before him so that he can see her face.
They display Omie's face for John Lewis to see.
He made no confession but they carried him to jail,
John Lewis refuses to confess, is taken to jail.
No friends or relations would go on his bail.
No one supports John Lewis, no one bails him out.
Comment