Lily of the west
Trad.
When first I came to Louisville
some pleasure there to find
A damsel there from Lexington
was pleasing to my mind
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips
like arrows pierced my breast
The name she bore was Flora
the lily of the west.
I courted lovely Flora
some pleasure for to find
But she turned to another man
which so distressed my mind
She robbed me of my liberty
deprived me of my rest
And oh, my lovely Flora
the lily of the west.
Way down in yonder shady grove
a man of high degree
Conversing with my Flora there
Which seemed so strange to me
And the answer that she gave to him
it so did me oppress
I was betrayed by Flora
the lily of the west.
I stepped up to my rival
A dagger in my hand
I seized him by the collar
Boldly made him stand
All in my desperation
I pierced him through his breast
All this for lovely Flora
the lily of the west.
I had to stand a trial
I had to make my plea
They placed me in the witness box
and then commenced on me
Although she swore my life away
deprived me of my rest
I love my faithless Flora
the lily of the west.