Lily of the West

Arrangement by Joan Baez 

When first I came to Louisville 
Some pleasure there to find 
damsel there from Lexington 
Was pleasing to my mind 
Her rosy cheeks, [bad word] 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 
She turned unto another man
Which sore distressed my mind
She robbed me of my liberty 
Deprived me of my rest 
Still I love my faithless Flora
The Lily Of The West 

Down in yonder shady grove 
man of high degree
Conversing with my Flora there
It seemed so strange to me 
And 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 and
I boldly made him stand
Being mad to desperation I pierced him in the breast
All for 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 [bad word] on me
Although she swore my life away
Deprived me of my rest
And I still love my faithless Flora
The Lily Of The West