When first I came to Louisville, some pleasure here to find
A damsel there from Lexington was pleasin' to my mind
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips like arrows pierced my breast
An' the name she bore was Flora, the lily of the west.
I courted lovely Flora some pleasure for to find
But she turned unto another man whose sore distressed my mind
She robbed me of my liberty, deprieved 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
Conversin' with my Flora there, it seemed so strange to me
An' the answer that she gave to him it sure 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 an' boldly made him stand
Bein' mad by desperation i pierced him to the breast
All this for lovely Flora, the lily of the west.
I had to stand my trial, I had to make my plea
They placed me in the witness box an' they commenced on me
Although she swore my life away, deprieved of my rest
Still i love my faithless Flora, the lily of the west.
