| lyric | I just came down from Louiswille,
some pleasure for to find,
A handsome girl from Lexington,
so pleasing to my mind.
Her hair was laid in diamons
and a star upon her breast,
They called her handsome Mary,
The Lily of the West.
2. I courted her for many a day,I thought her love to gain.
Too soon, too soon she slighted me,
which caused me grief and pain.
She robbed me of my liberty,
deprived me of my rest,
But still I loved my Mary,
the Lily of the West.
3. As I walked out one evening
down in yon’ shady grove,
I saw a lord of high degree
conversing with my love.
He sang, he sang so merrily,
while I was sore distressed;
He sang for handsome Mary,
the Lily of the West.
4. I rushed up to my rival,
a dagger in my hand.
I caught him by the collar
and boldly bade him stand.
Being mad to desperation,
my dagger pierced his breast.
I was betrayed by Mary,
the Lily of the West.
5. And now my trial has come off,
and sentenced soon I’ll be.
They put me in the criminal box
and there convicted me.
She so deceived the jury,
so modestly did dress,
She far outshone bright Venus,
the Lily of the West.
6. Since then I’ve gained my liberty,
I’ll roam the country through.
I’ll travel the cities over
and find my loved one true.
Though she robbed me of my liberty,
deprived me of my rest.
Still I love my Mary,
the Lily of the West. |