Doc Watson - Omie Wise

Doc Watson performs the bittersweet traditional American murder ballad "Omie Wise" from his wonderful folk album, "The Essential Doc Watson."

LYRICS:

Oh, listen to my story, I'll tell you no lies,
How John Lewis did murder poor little Omie Wise.
He told her to meet him at Adams's Springs.
Said he'd bring her money and other fine things.

So, fool-like she met him at Adams's Springs.
No money he brought her nor other fine things.
"Go with me, little Omie, and away we will go.
Off to get married and no one will know."

She climbed up behind him and away they did go,
But off to the river where deep waters flow.
"John Lewis, John Lewis, will you tell me your mind?
Do you intend to marry me or leave me behind?"

"Little Omie, little Omie, I'll tell you my mind.
My mind is to drown you and leave you behind."
"Have mercy on my baby and spare me my life,
I'll go home as a beggar and never be your wife."

He kissed her and he hugged her then he turned her around,
And pushed her in deep waters where he knew that she would drown.
He jumped on his pony and away he did ride,
As the screams of little Omie went down by his side.

T'was on one Thursday morning, the rain came pouring down,
When the people searched for Omie but she could not be found.
Two boys went to-fishin' one fine summer day,
And they saw little Omie's body go floating away.

Then they threw their net around her and drew her to the bank.
Her clothes all wet and muddy, they laid her on a plank.
They sent for John Lewis to come to that place --
And they brought her out before him so that he might see her face.

Though he made no confession, they carried him to jail,
No friends nor relations would go on his bail.

More about Naomi "Omie" Wise:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omie_Wise

(c) 1964 Vanguard Records.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Doc
• Watson
• Traditional
• American
• folk
• murder
• ballads
• Omie
• Wise

[elphish12]

"Bittersweet" implies something good happens. This song is not bittersweet, its just tragic.

Also, very good.

[solutioncow]

@elphish12

Thanks. I think you're right. ;)

[Camella1]

The bitter is the tragedy of her cruel murder. The guitar is hauntingly sweet.

[mmgdavis]

@nocountryforedtom

how can you be somewhat of a whore??

[sazji]

@Heime101 You're telling Doc Watson to get the lyrics right? :)  There are at least 6 different versions of the song out there, maybe more.

[clearlyoleary]

one of the great appalacchian murder ballads also a true story. John lewis had promised to marry the daughter of a wealthy man but got his other girlfriend pregnant. History says he did not spend much time in jail but moved away to Ky where he married another and had a family.

[nocountryforedtom]

My research has brought me to believe omie wise was somewhat of a whore and john lewis was married. She was pregnant so he killed her.

[Heime101]

Get the lyrics right dumbass

[Heime101]

@18ajake That's cause you held onto those emotions much how much can be be so influential and give people reason to do fucked up shit !

[Heime101]

FUCKING LOVE THIS SONG AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE BAD RELIGIONS GREG GRAFFINS VERSION SO SAD ALMOST CRY WORTHY ! OLD TRUE STORY FROM EARLY 1900S

[18ajake]

my mom used to sing this to me when i was like five or six and now I'm 22 and i still get that same feeling i got when i heard this before...

[rabooey]

@elphish12 No it doesn't. The word "bittersweet" implies a heartfelt situation that ends unhappily, and that's exactly what the tune delivers. The "sweet" part is the girl herself, and her innocence and naivety. There's also a certain sweetness in the melody itself.