Omie Wise

OMIE WISE (traditional)
[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omie_Wise ]

Oh, listen to my story, and I’ll tell you no lies
How John Lewis did murder poor little Omie Wise
He told her to meet him at Adams’s Springs
He would bring her some money and other fine things

When he met little Omie, he flattered the case
Said, “We’ll go and get married, and there’ll be no disgrace”
So she climbed up behind him and away they did go
But off to the river where the deep waters flow
“John Lewis, John Lewis, will you tell me your mind?
Do you intend for to marry me or to leave me behind?”
“Little Omie, little Omie, let me tell you my mind
My mind is to drown you and leave you behind”

“Take pity on my baby and spare me my life
I’ll go home as a beggar and I’ll never be your wife”
Then he kissed her and he hugged her and turned her around
Then he pushed her in deep waters where he knew that she would drown
Then he jumped on his pony and away he did ride
As the screams of poor Omie went down by his side
T’was on a thursday morning, the rain was pouring down
When the people searched for Omie, but she could not be found

Two boys went a-fishin’ on a fine summer’s day
And they saw little Omie’s body go a-floating away
They threw their net around her and they drew her to the bank
Her clothes all wet and muddy, as they laid her on a plank
So they sent for John Lewis to come to that place
And they brought her out before him so that he might see her face
Though he made no confession, they carried him to jail
No friends nor relations would go on his bail