Down in the willow garden
Where me and my love did meet
As we set there a courtin'
My love fell off to sleep

I had a bottle of burgundy wine
My love she did not know
So I poisoned that dear little girl
On the banks below

I drew a dagger through her
It was a bloody night
I threw her in the river
Which was a lovely sight

My father oft had told me
That gold would save me somehow

If I would murder that dear little girl
Whose name was Rose McDowall

My father sits at his cabin door
Wiping his tear dimmed eyes
For his only son soon shall walk
To yonder scaffold high

My race is run beneath the sun
The scaffold now waits for me
For I did murder that dear little girl
Whose name was Rose McDowall