The Banks Of The Ohio lyrics and guitar chords

Banks of the Ohio sheet music notes in the key of G Major in solfege now added. Folk Song- recorded by The Wolfe Tones and by Olivia Newton John. The ukulele chords are included for the version in G.Also recorded by Irish country singer Susan McCann and by Three Pickers and Alison Krauss. It's part of the Irish Country Music Lyrics section. I have given tree different versions of the chords including the chords used by Olivia Newton John covered it in 1971, and Three Pickers and Alison Krauss . Many other singers also recorded this song including Joan Baez and Bill Munroe And Doc Watson. Banks of the Ohio piano letter notes​ included.The strumming pattern is in the Medley Of Country Songs On Guitar .

I[G] asked my love to take a[D7] walk, 
To take a walk, just a little[G] walk
Down beside where the waters[C] flow
Down by the[G] banks, of the[D7] Ohi[G]o
 

Then only say that you'll be mine 
And in no other arms entwine. 
Down beside, where the waters flow 
Down by the banks of the Ohio. 
 
I held a knife against her breast 
As gently in my arms she pressed,  
Crying "Willie, Oh Willie! Don't murder me 
For I'm unprepared for eternity!" 
 
I took her by her lily white hand 
And led her down where the waters stand; 
I picked her up and pitched her in 
And watched her as she floated down. 
 
I started home between twelve and one 
Cryin' "Oh my God! What have I done?  
I've murdered the only woman I love 
Because she would not be my bride. 

🎵 Down by the Banks of the Ohio — Key of G Major

Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Tempo: ~80 BPM
Time Signature: 4/4 (steady folk flow)

🎸 1. Chords for the Whole Song

Verse / Chorus pattern:

[G]I asked my love to take a [D7]walk  
To take a walk, just a little [G]walk  
Down beside where the waters [C]flow  
Down by the [G]banks of the [D7]Ohi[G]o


Chorus:

Then only say that you'll be mine  
And in no other arms entwine  
Down beside, where the waters flow  
Down by the banks of the Ohio


Verse 2:

[G]I held a knife against her [D7]breast  
As gently in my arms she [G]pressed  
Crying "Willie, Oh Willie! Don't murder [C]me  
For I'm unpre[G]pared for [D7]eterni[G]ty!"


Verse 3:

[G]I took her by her lily white [D7]hand  
And led her down where the waters [G]stand  
I picked her up and pitched her [C]in  
And watched her as she [G]floated [D7]down[G].


Verse 4:

[G]I started home between twelve and [D7]one  
Cryin' "Oh my God! What have I [G]done?"  
I've murdered the only woman I [C]love  
Because she would not [G]be my [D7]bride.[G]

🎸 2. Strumming Pattern (Slow Folk 4/4)

Pattern:

↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑

Counting:

1 2& 3&4&

Feel:

On beat 1, hit the bass note (use thumb or pick).

On beats 2–4, lightly brush the higher strings.

Keep it slow, steady, and mournful.

Slightly accent beat 1 of each measure to mimic a walking pulse.

Optional (for softer storytelling verses):

↓ ↓ ↓↑

🎶 3. Fingerpicking Tab (for All Verses)

We’ll use a Travis picking pattern — alternating bass and melody notes for a rolling folk sound.

Pattern (per measure):

T – I – T – M
(Thumb = bass; Index = G string; Middle = B string)

Verse 1 Fingerpicking Arrangement
   G
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|--3-------------|--3-------------|
 I asked my love to take a walk,

   D7
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|--0-------------|--0-------------|--0-------------|--0-------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
 To take a walk, just a little walk,

   G                              C
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------2-------|--------2-------|
A|----------------|----------------|--3-------------|--3-------------|
E|--3-------------|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|
 Down beside where the waters flow,

   G                              D7              G
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------1---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----2---2-------|----0---0-------|
D|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|----------------|----------------|--0-------------|----------------|
E|--3-------------|--3-------------|----------------|--3-------------|
 Down by the banks of the Ohio.

Verse 2 Fingerpicking (same pattern)
   G                              D7
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|----------------|----------------|--0-------------|--0-------------|
E|--3-------------|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|
 I held a knife against her breast,


Continue same pattern for each line — only chords change as above.

Olivia Newton John Version Of Chords In The Key Of C Major

I[C] asked my love to take a[G] walk, 
To take a walk, just a little[C] walk
Down beside where the waters[F] flow
Down by the[C] banks, [G]of the Ohi[C]o
 

Then [C]only say that you'll be [G]mine 
And in no other arms en[C]twine. 
Down beside, where the waters [F]flow 
Down by the [C]banks [G]of the Ohi[C]o. 
 
Three Pickers and Alison Krauss version
​
Intro. chords B  E  A  E  B  E
I[E] asked my love to take a[B] walk, 
Just a little ways with [E]me
As we walked then we would [A]talk
All a[E]bout our wedding day

Banks of the Ohio piano sheet music notes in the key of G Major in solfege [ do re mi format ] and the beginner letter notes below.

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