Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
Lisa Mae was a wild-eyed gal
I laid her down in the chaparral
She went home and her daddy said,
"Gonna find that boy, gonna kill him dead"
Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
He came around with a Bowie knife
And intention to take my life
I met him down at Miller's Square
He called my name and I shot him there
Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
The Sheriff came and took me in
I prayed the Lord to forgive my sin
Purify this wretched soul
I've got a date with the gallows pole
Oh Lord, going down to the river
Oh Lord, where the water runs free
Oh Lord, going down to the river
On that shore they will bury me
On that shore they will bury me
On that shore they will bury me