The Lily of the West

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