I loved a girl, her name was Marie But the hand of God took her from me Down by the river in her favorite dress Down by the river I laid her to rest Marie , Marie the wind calls her name What I wouldn't give to hold her again In the little old shack that once was our home In the little old shack where I wait alone The days pass by so empty and slow I try but I can't let her go Down to the river with a rope in my hand Down to the river where the cottonwood stands Way up high I tie the knot to the bough Dear God, my God, take me to her now