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"