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, there's no use in askin'

For she's in her room, a-takin' rest

And by her side lies a silver dagger

To slay the one that I love best



Oh Katie dear, go ask your papa

If you could be a bride of mine

If he says yes, come back and tell me

If he says no, we'll run away



Oh Willie dear, there's no use in askin'

For he's in his room, a-takin' rest

And by his side lies a silver dagger

To slay the one that I love best



Then he picked up that silver dagger

And he stole it through his troubled heart

Saying, "goodbye Katie, goodbye darlin'

I'll die for the one that I love best"



Then she picked up that bloody dagger

And she stole it through her lily-white breast

Saying, "goodbye Mama, goodbye Papa

I'll die for the one that I love best"