Banks Of The Ohio

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

This was sung by Joan Baez with the Dead on 31 December 1981.

I asked my love to take a walk
To take a walk, just a little walk
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

Chorus
And 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 held a knife against his breast
As into my arms he pressed
He cried, "My love, don't you murder me
I'm not prepared for eternity"

[chorus]

I started home 'tween twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?
I've killed the only man I love
He would not take me for his bride"

[chorus]

Also sung by Robert Hunter in 1997. Garcia sang this in pre-Dead days with the Hart Valley Drifters (10 November 1962). His version was essentially the same as Joan Baez's:

I asked my love to take a walk
Just to walk, a little way
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

Chorus
Only say that you'll be mine
In [our home] we'll happy be
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

I held a knife against her breast
As into my arms she pressed
Cried, "[oh] [?] don't murder me
I'm not prepared for eternity"

[chorus]

[I started home 'tween twelve and one]
I cried, "My God, what have I done?
I killed the only woman I love
Because she would not be my bride

[chorus]

Notes
I have a 1963 Monroe Brothers recording ("On The Banks Of The Ohio") that lists the composer as Joe Harris. But most other sources list this song as "traditional".

Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography