Murder Ballad: the River Witch

I rose from my bed in the darkness and escaped to the river in the dead of night. Clad in only my thin fragile nightdress, Much to my young lover's delight. My lover was bound by his honor, The next day he'd head back to sea. But he promised he'd be back to get me, He promised me eternity. And then he leaned in close to kiss me, Oh just so ever gently... But a shot rang out through the silence Before our sweet lips could meet. The red from his chest soaked my nightdress My lover fell down to his knees And before he could whisper 'I love you', His eyes faded and he was at ease. Oh what a tragic story, yes, But it's still mine to tell. I thought I'd be a sailor's wife, But here I sit and wail. They think of me the devil's witch Bound here by my sins. But the truth is I'm a gently soul Who met a brutal end. Oh, I cried and I cried in the darkness, Though I knew that I should flee. I never realized my peril 'til the gunman stepped out from the trees. Standing there was my admirer, His eyes were green with jealousy. He told me that I had betrayed him, And he could not forgive what he'd seen. Oh, I begged and I begged for his mercy, As he stared down at me hungrily. In the end he took all that he wanted And left me cold to the touch in the reeds. Oh what a tragic story, yes, But it's still mine to tell. I thought I'd be a sailor's wife, But here I sit and wail. They think of me the devil's witch Bound here by my sins. But the truth is I'm a gently soul Who met a brutal end.