In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
Banks Of The Ohio
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a little way's with me.
An' as we walked,
Then we would talk
All about our wedding day.
[Chorus]
"Darlin', say that you'll be mine;
Down beside where the waters flow,
On the banks of the Ohio."
I took her by her pretty white hand,
I led her down the banks of sand,
I plunged her in
Where she would drown,
An' watched her as she floated down.
[Chorus]
Returnin' home between twelve and one,
Thinkin', Lord, what a deed I've done;
I'd killed the girl
I love, you see,
Because she would not marry me.
The very next day, at half past four,
The sheriff walked right to my door;
He says, "Young man,
Don't try to run.
You'll pay for this awful crime you've don."
[Chorus]
The song "Banks Of The Ohio" tells a story of a man who has a conversation with his love while taking a walk down by the banks of the Ohio river. The man asks her to marry him, but when she refuses, he becomes angry and decides to drown her. The song then tells of how he returns home and feels guilty for what he has done. The following day, the sheriff arrives to arrest him for his crime.
The lyrics of the song reflect the dark side of human nature, particularly how a rejected proposal can cause a person to act irrationally. The song was originally an Appalachian murder ballad that originated in the late 19th century. The lyrics have been modified by various artists over time, including Bill Monroe, who popularized the song in the bluegrass genre.
Overall, "Banks Of The Ohio" is a haunting song that tells a tragic story fueled by intense emotions. It serves as a reminder of how powerful feelings of love, jealousy, and rejection can be.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked my love to take a walk,
I requested that my lover walk with me for a short distance.
Just a little way's with me.
We won't travel far together.
An' as we walked,
During our walk,
Then we would talk
we would converse
All about our wedding day.
and discuss our future together.
Darlin', say that you'll be mine;
My beloved, please tell me that you will be my partner forever;
In our home we'll happy be,
we'll be content together in our own house,
Down beside where the waters flow,
beside a flowing stream,
On the banks of the Ohio.
next to the Ohio River.
I took her by her pretty white hand,
I grasped her attractive, fair hand,
I led her down the banks of sand,
I directed her towards the sandy banks,
I plunged her in
I threw her into
Where she would drown,
a place where she would become submerged and struggle to breathe.
An' watched her as she floated down.
I observed her as she drifted away.
Returnin' home between twelve and one,
Returning home between midnight and one AM,
Thinkin', Lord, what a deed I've done;
Thinking to myself 'Oh God, what have I done';
I'd killed the girl
I killed the girl
I love, you see,
whom I loved so much,
Because she would not marry me.
because she refused my proposal of marriage.
The very next day, at half past four,
At 4:30 the following day,
The sheriff walked right to my door;
The law enforcement officer arrived at my doorstep without delay;
He says, Young man,
The sheriff addressed me, 'Young man'.
Don't try to run.
Do not attempt to escape.
You'll pay for this awful crime you've don.
You will be held accountable for this heinous act.'
Darlin', say that you'll be mine;
My beloved, please tell me that you will be my partner forever;
In our home we'll happy be,
we'll be content together in our own house,
Down beside where the waters flow,
beside a flowing stream,
On the banks of the Ohio.
next to the Ohio River.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOAN BAEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
3blondee
When I was a little girl my grandmother used to sing this song and tell the story about it. I can still hear her voice and see her in her rocking chair. Such a tragic song but with such fond memories for me.
Zach Grimm
Their voices blend great together!
Hannes Svedberg
Listen to the way their voices melt together. Amazing to think that perhaps the two greatest innovators of this music would melt together so PERFECTLY. This is just so smooth!
CowboyOld
Beautiful song! The harmony is great.Thanks so much!
Matteo Ringressi
I have always loved this version... Bill and Doc both loved brother duet music, and one Doc's first loves in music were the Monroe Brothers. They could sing their way to the soul on this number!
Davebow Hol
This is the part about GETTING OLD that I HATE ! Losing talent such as Doc ! He will continue to captivate for years to come through His Videos.............! Not a drop of EGO, just pure talent . RIP -Doc. David G. Holland , Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Alan De Souza Cruz
Beautiful song 🤠👍🏻
pizza hut
Great musicians comforting my ears!
Kenneth Terrell
Amazing harmony. I've listened to every version of this song I can find on the internet, this may be the best. Love the Krauss/Scaggs/Watson version, but this is more authentic.
Midwest Briar
I love these guys solo! but together they are almost magical!