THE LILY OF THE WEST
Traditional Ballad-Ohio Version

Joan Baez


When first I came to Louisville,Some pleasure there to find,
A damsel there from Lexington was pleasin' 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
Conversin' with my Flora there, it seemed so strange to me.
And the answer that she gave 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 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 commenced on me
Although she swore my life away, deprived me of my rest-
Still I love my faithless Flora, the Lily of the West.










(Contributed by George A. Furst - April 2008)