The 19th century pretty gruesome murder ballad 'Banks of the Ohio' is about a young man who murders his sweetheart on a riverbank after she rejects his marriage proposal.
It is unknown who wrote the song but it is was first recorded in 1927 and since then has been performed by many country and folk singers, including Olivia Newton-John.
'Banks of the Ohio' lyrics
I asked my love to take a walk Just a walk a little way And as we walk, oh, may we talk All about our wedding day
Only say that you’ll be mine In our home we’ll happy be Down beside where the waters flow On the banks of the Ohio
I held a knife against her breast As into my arms she pressed She said Willie, don’t you murder me I’m unprepared for eternity
I took her by her lily white hand And dragged her down that bank of sand There I throwed her in to drown I watched her as she floated down
Was walking home tween twelve and one Thinkin’ of what I had done I killed a girl, my love you see Because she would not marry me
The very next morn about half past four The Sheriff came knocked at my door He said now young man come now and go Down to the Banks of the Ohio
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