When first I came to Louisville Some pleasure there to find A damsel there from Lexington Was pleasin' to my mind Her ruby lips her rosy cheeks Like arrows pierced my breast The name she bore was Flora The Lilly of the West I courted lovely Flora Some pleasure there to find But she turned onto another man Which sore distressed my mind She stole away my liberty Deprived me of my rest Then go my lovely Flora The Lilly of the West Way down in yonder shady grove A man of low degree Conversin' with my Flora there It seemed so strange to me
The answer that she gave to him It sore did me oppress I was betrayed by Flora The Lilly 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 Be mad to desperation I pierced him in his breast Then go my lovely Flora The Lilly of the West And then I had to stand my trial I had to make my plea They put 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 Lilly of the West