Flora, The Lily Of The West - Tim O'Brien

When I first came to Louisville, my fortune there to find

There was a maiden 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

Well 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 the rest

Then go my lovely Flora, the lily of the west

It was down in yonder shady grove, with a man of high degree

The answer that she gave to him sore did my heart 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

It was all for the love of Flora, the lily of the west

I had to stand my trial, I had to make my plea

They put me in the criminal box and then commenced on me Although she stole my life away, deprived me of the rest

Still I love my faithless Flora, the lily of the west