Oh Katie dear go ask your mama
If you can be a bride of mine
If she says yes come back and tell me
If she says no we’ll run away

Oh Willie dear no use in asking
She’s in her room… a… takin’ rest
And by her side – a silver dagger
To slay the one whom I love best

Oh Katie dear go ask your papa
If you can be a bride of mine
If he says yes then we’ll be married
If he says no we’ll run away

Oh Willie dear, don’t even think it
He’s on the porch… a… drinkin’ beer
And by his side is a steely dagger
To slay the one whom I hold dear

So he picked up the nearest dagger
And stove it through his troubled heart
Goodbye Katie goodbye darlin’
It seems like here is where we part

So she pulled out that bloody dagger
And stove it through her lily-white breast
Saying goodbye mama goodbye papa
I’ll die with the one whom I love best