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.
Then go, my lovely 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 commencend on me.
Although she swore my life away,
deprived me of my rest,
still I love my faithless Flora,
the lily of the west.