Flora, The Lily Of The West Lyrics - 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 

Conversing with my Flora there, and it seemed so strange to me 

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