Returning home between twelve and one
Thinking of the crime I'd done,
I killed the girl I love you see
Because she would not marry me.

The very next day about half past four
The sheriff's men knocked at my door.
They said young man come now and go
Down to the banks of the Ohio.

I                IV
Bury me beneath the willow,
I                                      V    V-7th
Under the weeping willow tree.
I                               IV
So he will know when I am sleeping,
I           V-7th                    I
And perhaps he'll weep for me.

My heart is sad and I am lonely,
Thinking of the one I love.
When will I see him, oh, no never,
Unless we meet in heaven above.

He told me that he dearly loved me,
How could I believe him untrue.
Until the day some neighbors told me.
He has proven untrue to you.

Tomorrow was to be our wedding.
I pray oh Lord where can he be.
He's gone, he's gone to love another,
He no longer cares for me.

     I                                 V-7th
I'll twine and I'll mingle my raven
          I
Black hair. With roses so red and
V-7th      I                          I-7th
Lilies so fair. The myrtle so green
           IV         I
Of an emerald hue, the pale
                      V-7th           I
Amelitas, and eyes of light blue.

Oh he promised to love me, he promised to love,
and cherish me always all others above.
I awoke from my dream my idols were clay.
My passion for loving had vanished away.

Oh he taught me to love him, he called me his flower.
To bloom and to cheer him through Life's weary hour.
But now he is gone and has left me alone.
The wild flowers to weep and the wild birds to moan.

I'll dance and I'll sing and my life shall be gay.
I'll charm every heart in the crowd I survey.
I'll live yet to see him regret this dark hour
When he lost and neglected this frail wildwood flower.