Lyrics:
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Come all good people, I'd have you draw near,
A sorrowful story you quickly shall hear.
A story I'll tell you about Omie Wise,
How she was deluded by John Lewis's lies.
He promised to marry her at Adams's spring;
He promised her money and many fine things.
He gave her no money, but yet flattered the case.
He says, "We'll be married and have no disgrace."
She got up behind him, away they did go.
They rode till they came where deep waters did flow.
"Now Omie, poor Omie, I'll tell you my mind,
My mind is to drown you and leave you behind."
"O pity your infant and spare me my life;
Let me go rejected and be not your wife;"
"No pity, no pity," this monster did cry;
In Deep River's bottom your body shall lie."
He kicked her and cuffed her until she could not stand
And threw her in the river below the mill dam;
Now Omie was missing as all did well know,
And hunting for her to the river did go;
And there found her floating on the water so deep,
Which caused all the people to sigh and to weep.
The neighbors were sent for to see the great sight,
While she lay floating all that long night;
So early next morning the inquest was held;
The jury correctly the murder did tell.
They arrested John Lewis, they arrested him today,
They buried little Omie down in the cold clay.
"My name is John Lewis, my name I'll not deny,
I murdered my true love, I'll never reach the sky."
"Go hang me or kill me for I am the man,
Who murdered little Omie down by the mill dam."
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