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

And the name she bore was Flora

The lily of the West



I courted lovely Flora

Some pleasure there to find

But she turned unto another man

Which sore distressed my mind

She robbed me of my liberty

Deprived me of my rest

Then go, my lovely Flora

The lily of the West

Way down in yonder shady grove

A man of high degree

Conversing with my Flora there

It seems so strange to me

And the answer that she gave to him

It sore did me oppress

I was betrayed by Flora

The lily of the West



I stepped up to my rival

My dagger in my hand

I seized him by the collar and

I boldly bade him stand

Being mad to desperation

I pierced him in the breast

I killed a man for Flora

The lily of the West



I had to stand my trial

I had to make my plea

They placed me in the criminal box

And then commenced on me

Although she swore my life away

Deprived me of my rest

Still I love my faithless Flora

The lily of the West