Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television in East Tennessee. At age 12 she was appearing on Knoxville TV, and at 13, she was recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional elements of folklore and popular music from East Tennessee with her.
Parton's initial success came as a songwriter, with her songs being covered by Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Jr., Skeeter Davis, and a number of others. She signed with Monument Records in late 1965, where she was initially pitched as a bubblegum pop singer, earning only one national chart single, "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby," which did not crack the Billboard Top 100. Additional pop singles also failed to chart.
The label agreed to have Parton sing country music after her composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" as recorded by Bill Phillips (and with Parton, uncredited, on harmony) went to No. 6 on the country charts in 1966. Her first country single, "Dumb Blonde" (one of the few songs during this era that she recorded but didn't write), reached No. 24 country 1967, followed later the same year with "Something Fishy," which went to No. 17. The two songs anchored her first full-length album, Hello I'm Dolly, that same year.
In 1967, Parton was asked to join the weekly syndicated country music TV program hosted by Porter Wagoner, replacing Norma Jean. She also signed with RCA Records, Wagoner's label, during this period, where she would remain for the next two decades. Wagoner and Parton immediately began a hugely successful career as a vocal duet in addition to their solo work and their first single together, a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the top ten on the U.S. country charts in late 1967, and was the first of over a dozen duet singles to chart for them during the next several years.
Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country songs with strong elements of folk music in them based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others. As a composer, she is also regarded as one of country music's most gifted storytellers, with many of her narrative songs based on persons and events from her childhood.
In 1982 Dolly Parton sang her song "I Will Always Love You", for the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", starring Parton and Burt Reynolds. The song - originally composed around 1974 - made few ripples, but it wasn't until Whitney Houston re-recorded it for "The Bodyguard" a decade later, that the song made yet another international hit for Dolly Parton. She later put out her own version on the 1996 album of the same name.
In 1987, Parton left her longtime label, RCA, and signed with Columbia Records, where her recording career continued to prosper, but by the mid 1990s, Parton, along with many other performers of her generation, found that her new music was not welcome on country radio playlists. She recorded a series of critically acclaimed bluegrass albums, beginning with "The Grass is Blue" (1999) and "Little Sparrow" (2001), both of which won Grammy Awards. Her 2002 album "Halos and Horns" included a bluegrass version of the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven. In 2005, Parton released Those Were The Days, her interpretation of hits from the folk-rock era of the late 1960s through early 1970s. The CD featured such classics as John Lennon's "Imagine," Cat Stevens' "Where Do The Children Play," Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover," and the folk classic "Where Have All The Flowers Gone", as well as the title track.
In 2007, Dolly paved new musical ground by forming her own record label, Dolly Records. The label's first release - Backwoods Barbie - debuted at #2 on the Billboard country albums charts and marks Parton's first mainstream country album in 17 years. Parton is touring North America and Europe throughout 2008 in support of her latest release.
1955
Banks of the Ohio
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To write his story, if he'd tell
He spoke as tears, fell from his eyes
And he told me when, and how and why
And he said
I asked my love to take a walk
Just to walk, a little ways
About our future wedding day
But when she said, she could never be mine
Well I held a knife against her breast
As into my arms she pressed
She cried "my love, don't you murder me
'Cause I'm not prepared for eternity"
Then only say that you'll be mine
And in no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
I started home twixt twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
I've killed the one I love tonight
Because she would not be my bride
Well only say that you'll be mine
And in no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Save my soul Lord
Save my soul
There beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song, Banks of the Ohio, tell the story of a man who murders his love after she rejects his proposal. The song is written from the perspective of someone who visits the convicted murderer in prison, seeking the story behind the grisly crime. The man tearfully recounts how he asked his love to take a walk with him and talk about their future wedding day. However, when she reveals that she could never be his, he holds a knife to her chest and kills her.
The song portrays the intensity of the man's love for his beloved, and how that love drove him to do the unthinkable. However, it also highlights the tragic consequences of acting on impulse and letting love turn into obsession. The man is left with the guilt and shame of his actions, crying out for salvation and redemption.
Through its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, Banks of the Ohio stands as a powerful reminder of the darker, all-consuming side of love, and the devastating consequences that can follow when it goes unchecked.
Line by Line Meaning
I went into his prison cell
I visited the man in jail
To write his story, if he'd tell
My intention was to get his story of confession
He spoke as tears fell from his eyes
He cried while sharing his story
And he told me when, and how and why
He narrated the details of his crime
And he said
Then he spoke these words to me
I asked my love to take a walk
I requested my beloved to go for a walk with me
Just to walk, a little ways
We planned to take a short stroll together
And as we walked, then we could talk
During our walk, we could discuss our future
About our future wedding day
We talked about planning our marriage
But when she said she could never be mine
When she rejected me, saying she can't be with me
Well I held a knife against her breast
I threatened her with a knife
As into my arms she pressed
She hugged me even after the threat
She cried 'my love, don't you murder me
She pleaded with me not to kill her
'Cause I'm not prepared for eternity'
She was afraid to die without preparation
Then only say that you'll be mine
He wanted her to promise to be with him
And in no others' arms entwine
He wanted her to be faithful only to him
Down beside where the waters flow
He wanted her to meet him by the river
Down by the banks of the Ohio
He wanted to meet her at a specific spot by the river
I started home twixt twelve and one
He left home after midnight
I cried, 'My God, what have I done?'
He regretted his actions
I've killed the one I love tonight
He confessed to killing his lover
Because she would not be my bride
He justified murder as revenge for being rejected
Save my soul Lord
He prayed to the Lord to save his soul
There beside where the waters flow
He mentioned the river again
Down by the banks of the Ohio
He mentioned the specific location by the river again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Linda Norris
(break)
I asked my love to take a walk
Just a little ways with me
And as we walked and we would talk
All about our wedding day
Darling 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 took her by her pretty white hand
I let her down that bank of sand
I pushed her in where she would drown
Lord, I saw her as she floated down
Returning home about twelve or one
Thinking "Lord, what a deed I've done?"
I killed the girl I love, you see
Because she would not marry Me
The very next day at half past four
The sherriff walked right to my door
And he says "Young man, don't you try to run
You'll pay for this awful crime you've done"
Jesse
Lyrics... as performed by Dolly Parton <3
....
I went into his prison cell
To write his story, if he'd tell
He spoke as tears, fell from his eyes
And he told me when, and how and why
And he said
I asked my love to take a walk
Just to walk, a little ways
And as we walked, then we could talk
About our future wedding day
But when she said, she could never be mine
Well I held a knife against her breast
As into my arms she pressed
She cried "my love, don't murder me
'Cause I'm not prepared for eternity"
Then only say that you'll be mine
And in no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
I started home twixt twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
I've killed the one I love tonight
Because she would not be my bride
Well only say that you'll be mine
And in no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Save my soul Lord
Save my soul
There beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Lyrics as performed by Dolly Parton
Tess Whelan
I went into his prison cell
To write his story, if he'd tell
He spoke as tears fell from his eyes
And he told me when and how and why
And he said...
I asked my love to take a walk
Just to walk a little ways
And as we walked
Then we could talk about our future wedding day
But when she said she could never be mine
Well, I held a knife against her breast
As into my arms she pressed
She cried "My love, don't murder me
'Cause I'm not prepared for eternity"
Then only say that you'll be mine
And in no other's arms entwined
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
I started home 'twixt twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
I killed the one I love tonight
Because she would not be my bride
Well only say that you'll be mine
And in no other's arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Oh, oh, save my soul Lord, save my soul
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Joe Smith
Joe Smith
Dolly Parton Banks of the Ohio Lyrics
I went into his prison cell
To write his story, if he'd tell
He spoke as tears, fell from his eyes
And he told me when, and how and why
And he said
I asked my love to take a walk
Just to walk, a little ways
And as we walked, then we could talk
About our future wedding day
But when she said, she could never be mine
Well I held a knife against her breast
As into my arms she pressed
She cried "my love, don't you murder me
'Cause I'm not prepared for eternity"
Then only say that you'll be mine
And in no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
I started home twixt twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
I've killed the one I love tonight
Because she… was
Well only say that you'll be mine
And in no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Save my soul Lord
Save my soul
There beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Yours Sincerely
Joe Smith
Cynthia snipes
I went into his prison cell
To write his story, if he'd tell
He spoke as tears fell from his eyes
And he told me when and how and why
And he said...
I asked my love to take a walk
Just to walk a little ways
And as we walked
Then we could talk about our future wedding day
But when she said she could never be mine
Well, I held a knife against her breast
As into my arms she pressed
She cried "My love, don't murder me
'Cause I'm not prepared for eternity"
Then only say that you'll be mine
And in no other's arms entwined
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
I started home 'twixt twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
I killed the one I love tonight
Because she would not be my bride
Well only say that you'll be mine
And in no other's arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Oh, oh, save my soul Lord, save my soul
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
Gerald Barry
Beautiful song
Daniel Monaghan
I get chills when she sings acapella. Her voice is so magical.
Linda Norris
YEAH!
Keith Port
A lovely version in a traditional way. Olivia newton john also did a more up tempo recording in the seventies. Both are excellent.
AmyK95
agreed :)
Craig Brown
Another Dolly flavoured cover. Brilliant just like every other cover she does just makes it her own and then takes us all on her melodic journey, this one is exceptional. I love it thankyou Dolly, Keep them coming, more covers and originals mix just like you always do.
kitty slater
Porter Wagoner wrote it but they sang together for years
Ronad Adklns
Love this lady!!!! She just keeps getting better if possible!!!!
Jonathan Pardoe
There are a few things in this world that are perfection from the outset , they cannot be bettered . The Fender Strat guitar is one , The QE2 is another , Chuck Norris is also up there and so is Dolly . Her voice is that of an Angel from heaven , The feelgood factor that she exudes is off the scale and she rightly is the worlds most famous female singer .
demonic alien cat princess
Beautiful rendition of one of my most favorite songs of all time.