Come my love, let's take a walk
Just a little, ways away
While we walk along we'll talk
Talk about our wedding day

Only say that you'll be mine
Then our home will happy be
Down this side, where the waters flow
Down on the banks of the ohio.

I drew my knife across her throat
And to my chest she gently pressed
Oh, willie, please don't you murder me
For I'm unprepared to die, you see

I took her by her lily white hands
And I let her down where the water stands
There I pushed her in to drown
And I watched her as she floated down

Only say that you'll be mine
Then our home will happy be
Down this side, where the waters flow
Down on the banks of the ohio.

That day, while I was returning home
Thinking lord, what deed I've done
I murdered the girl I love, you see
Because she would not marry me

Next day as I was running home
I met the sheriff standing in my door
He said young man, come with me and go
Down to the banks of the ohio.

Only say that you'll be mine
Then our home will happy be
Down this side, where the waters flow
Down on the banks of the ohio
Down on the banks of the ohio