Charlie Boy

And I found her there beneath that willow tree
And I said, "Oh my darling, won't you come with me?"
And she said, "No, Charlie boy, I can't go with you
I'm pledged to another by mother
Though our love ain't true"

He said, "What if I took your hand
And I led you 'cross the sea?
Then would you forget 'bout him?
Would you marry me?"
And she said, "No, Charlie boy, that just cannot be
If you flee across the ocean blue
You'll shame my family"

He said, "What if I took a knife
And I put it in his chest?
Then would you believe me darlin'
That I love you best?"
And she said, "No, Charlie boy, that jus' wouldn't do
If you put a knife in his chest
The law'll be after you"

So I see her standing up there in a white lace dress
And the priest cries out, "Does anyone protest?"
And they said, "No, Charlie boy, sit back in your pew
She's marrying another man
There's nothing you can do"

And I guess I couldn't take it
And I just saw red
And I pulled my pistol off my hip
And I shot him in the head

And they said, "No, Charlie boy
What the hell'd you do?
You killed him on his wedding night
The hangman'll have you soon"

So I'm rotting here in this city cell
And by tomorrow morning I'll be wasting in hell
And they said, "Oh, Charlie boy
Look how far you've fell
She never even loved you, and now she never will"