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 asking
For she's in her room a taking 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 asking
For he's in his room a taking 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 stove it through her 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 stove it through her lily white breast
Saying goodbye mama goodbye papa
I'll die for the one that I love best