Flora

1. When first I came to Louisville my fortune there to find

I met a fair young maiden there her beauty filled my mind

her rosy cheek her ruby lips they gave my heart no rest

the name she bore was Flora the lily of the west.

2. I courted lovely Flora she promised ne'er to go

but soon a tale was told to me that filled my heart with woe

they said she meets another man who holds my love in jest

and yet I trusted Flora the lily of the west.

3. 'Way down in yonder shady grove a man of low degree

he spoke unto my Flora there and kissed her 'neath a tree

the answers that she gave to him like arrows pierced my breast

I was betrayed by Flora the lily of the west.

4. I stepped up to my rival my dagger in my hand

I seized him by the collar and I ordered him to stand

all in my desperation I stabbed him in his breast

I'd killed a man for Flora the lily of the west.

5. And then I had to stand my trial I had to make my plea

they placed me in a pris'ner's dock and then commended on me

although she swore my life away deprived me of my rest

still I love my faithless Flora the lily of the west.