I knew a girl in Charleston twas back a long time ago   She was the one I'd searched for God knows I loved her so   Oh yes I loved her I loved only her   I was but a young man wild and full of fire   Just had turned eighteen filled with challenge and desire   I thought that she loved me I thought she loved only me   Then I had to leave Charleston but I left her with the ring   I told her we would marry when I came back in the spring   How happy we would be how happy we would be   When I got back to Charleston I couldn't wait to see   The girl I thought loved and cherished only me   She'd left with another man she'd left with another man   As I wandered round Charleston to myself I say   When I'll find out you darling you are going to pay   I found her in the town and there I'd beat her down I'd beat her down   I dragged her to the river and threw her body in   Oh Lord won't you forgive me for this greatest sin   Well now the hurt is gone and there's no use to go on loving her   Loving her loving her loving her loving her