Capo II 

Am G Am G Am 

    Am                       G 
Oh, listen to my story, I'll tell you no lies, 
    Am                         G           Am 
How John Lewis did murder poor little Omie Wise. 

   Am                      G                     
He told her to meet him at Adams's Springs. 
   Am                     G          Am 
He promised her money and other fine things. 

    Am                       G 
So, fool-like she met him at Adams's Springs. 
   Am                       G          Am 
No money he brought her nor other fine things. 

 Am                            G 
"Go with me, little Omie, and away we will go. 
      Am                     G           Am 
We'll go and get married and no one will know." 

    Am                         G 
She climbed up behind him and away they did go, 
    Am                     G           Am 
But off to the river where deep waters flow. 

 Am                               G 
"John Lewis, John Lewis, will you tell me your mind? 
   Am                        G          Am 
Do you intend to marry me or leave me behind?" 

 Am                             G 
"Little Omie, little Omie, I'll tell you my mind. 
   Am                       G           Am 
My mind is to drown you and leave you behind." 

 Am                        G 
"Have mercy on my baby and spare me my life, 
     Am                      G             Am 
I'll go home as a beggar and never be your wife." 

   Am                            G 
He kissed her and hugged her and turned her around, 
     Am                                 G                   Am 
Then pushed her in deep waters where he knew that she would drown. 

   Am                   G 
He got on his pony and away he did ride, 
Am                                 G           Am 
As the screams of little Omie went down by his side. 

Am                               G 
T'was on a Thursday morning, the rain was pouring down, 
Am                                        G            Am 
When the people searched for Omie but she could not be found. 

Am                          G 
Two boys went a-fishin' one fine summer day, 
Am                         G            Am 
And saw little Omie's body go floating away. 

Am                                  G 
They threw their net around her and drew her to the bank. 
Am                                  G             Am 
Her clothes all wet and muddy, they laid her on a plank. 

Am                          G 
Then sent for John Lewis to come to that place -- 
    Am                                 G                Am 
And brought her out before him so that he might see her face. 

   Am                          G 
He made no confession but they carried him to jail, 
Am                            G         Am 
No friends or relations would go on his bail.