I asked my love to take a walk Just a little ways with me And as we walked and we would talk All about our weddingday [Chorus:] And only say that you'll be mine In no others arms entwined Down beside where the waters flow On the banks of the Ohio I asked her if she'd marry me And my wife forever be She only turned her head away And had no other words to say [Chorus] I plunged a knife into her breast And told her she was going to rest She cried "Oh Willy, don't murder me I'm not prepared for eternity." I took her by her golden curls I drug her down to the river-side An I there threw her into drown And I watched her as she floated down [Chorus] And going home between twelve and one I cried "Lord, what have I've done?" I've killed the girl I love Because she would not marry me [Chorus]