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

The name she bore was Flora
The Lily of the West
(And the name she bore was Flora)
(The Lily of the West)

I courted lovely Flora
Some pleasure for to find
But she turned unto another man
Which sore distressed my mind
She robbed me of my liberty
Deprived me off my rest

Then go, my lovely Flora
The Lily of the West
(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
Which seemed so strange to me
And the answer that she gave to him
It sore did me oppress

I was betrayed by Flora
The Lily of the West
(I was betrayed by Flora)
(The Lily of the West)

I stepped up to my rival
Dagger in my hand
I seized him by the collar
And boldly made him stand
Being mad by desperation
I pierced him through the breast

All this for lovely Flora
The Lily of the West
(All this for lovely Flora)
(The Lily of the West)

I had to stand my trial
I had to make my plea
They placed me in the witness 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
(Still I love my faithless Flora)
(The Lily of the West)