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.