(Laws F5)
Recorded by The Blue Sky Boys (Earl and Bill Bolick) Charlotte, Jun 16, 1936 and released on the posthumous Vol. 4 of Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Music
A rather slow version, relishing in the sweet clashes resulting from the “hang” of the melody line (see pdf file).
A different version, by Betty and the Beast, can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/user-885597811/down-by-the-banks-of-the-ohio
C F C G C
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Come
C G
Come my love let's take a walk
G7 C
Just a little ways away
C F
while we walk along we'll talk
C G C
Talk about our wedding day
Only say that you'll be mine and in our home we'll happy be down beside where the waters flow Down on the banks of the Ohio
I drew my knife across her throat And to my breast she gently pressed Oh please oh please don't murder me for I'm unprepared to die you see I takin' her 'bout her lily white hand I led her down in the banks of sand There I plunged her in to drown And watched her as she floated down Returning home 'tween twelve and one Thinkin' of the deed I done I murdered the girl I loved, you see, 'cause she would not marry me.
Only say that you'll be mine and in our home we'll happy be down beside where the waters flow Down on the banks of the Ohio
Next day as I's returning home I met the sheriff standing in the door He said: "Young man come with me and go Down to the banks of the Ohio."
Only say that you'll be mine and in our home we'll happy be down beside where the waters flow Down on the banks of the Ohio
Sheet music