Classic Poem

1.

Come all you young people, I pray you draw near,
A sorrowful ditty you quickly shall hear.
The truth I will tell you about Omie Wise,
How Omie was deceived by Lewis's lies.

2.

Come all ye pretty fair maids take warning from me,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Let this be a warning to all who pass by
That you be not deceived by Lewis's lie.

3.

He promised to wed her at Adam's springs.
Some money he'd give her and other fine things.
Neither of them he gave her but flattered the case,
Saying, " We will be married; will be no disgrace. "

4.

He said he'd go with her right straight to the town,
There they would be married, in union be bound.
He took her on behind him and away they did go
Till they came to the banks where the river did flow.

5.

" Now, Omie, poor Omie, I'll tell you my mind;
I intend for to drown you and leave you behind. "
" Have mercy, have mercy! " poor Omie did cry,
Saying, " I'm a poor rebel and not fit to die. "

6.

" No mercy I'll have, " this hero did cry,
" In the bottom of the river your body shall lie. "
" Have mercy, have mercy, and spare me my life!
Let me go rejected and not be your wife. "

7.

This hero did choke her, as we understand,
And threw her in the river below the mill dam.
Some count this high treason; but oh! what a crime
To murder poor Omie and leave her behind!

8.

Now Omie is missing, as we all do know,
And down to the river a-hunting they go.
They found her a-floating on the water so deep,
Which caused many people to sigh and to weep.

9.

The people they gathered to behold a great sight.
They left her on the shores all the dark stormy night.
The next day a-following the inquest was held.
No doubt but the jury their minds they could tell.