The Lily of the West - Joan Baez

Lily of the West

Arrangement by Joan Baez

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

(Still I love my faithless)"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 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) "Then go" my lovely Flora

The Lily of the West

"And" 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

(And I) Still love my faithless Flora

The Lily of the West