Ghosts in the River

I took these photos last week in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, on the banks of the Ohio River.

Which reminded me of a song I sometimes sing:

Banks of the Ohio

I asked my love to take a walk,
Take a walk, just a little walk
And as we walked, 'twas then we talked
Of our approaching wedding day.

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 into my arms she pressed,
She cried "Willie, don't murder me
I'm not prepared for eternity!"

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 took her by her lily-white hand
And led her down by the river's sand;
I picked her up and pitched her in
And watched her as she floated down.

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 started home 'twixt twelve and one
Cryin' "Oh my God! What have I done?
I've murdered the only one I love
Because she would not marry me.

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.

Next day as I was returning home
I met the sheriff at my door
He said, "young man, come now and go,
Down by the banks of the Ohio."

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.

Although this is generally believed to be a ballad from the 1800's, the first recording was made in 1927, according to the Ballad Index, and there seems to be no record of its author. The melody is lovely and soft, and really almost sad. Since it is "Willie" telling the story, it seems that he regretted his action in the end. Some versions have the sheriff on his doorstep; this one does. Other versions tell of him being haunted by the girl he murdered. Almost all of the versions I have found seem to indicate remorse on the part of the killer.

While in most ballads in which a young woman is murdered the reason is usually that she is pregnant, in this one I wonder if that was the case. The term lily-white usually refers to one innocent, virgin, or of moral virtue, so unmarried pregnancy would not be attributed to someone described as lily-white. Perhaps she loved someone else, and he was jealous? Since the songwriter didn't tell us, we'll never know for sure.

When I walk along the shores of the Ohio, I often think of this song and of all those who lost their lives in this mighty river. Although calm on the surface, the river holds the souls of many who lost their lives beneath her surface.

Which prompted me to write this poem several years ago:

Ghosts in the River

Spirits in the water
shades in the stream
phantoms in the shallows
shadows in the shoals
all ghosts in the river

the river sweeps them swiftly under
to sleep in silvered graves and join
lost souls gathered over years
phantoms in the river


Watch the river flowing
see their memories floating
held in silent flowing currents
generations passing
ghosts in the river now