Flora, the Lily of the West
Betrayal's Ballad: Unveiling Love's Thorn in Flora's Tale
Lyrics
When I first came to Louisville, my fortune there to find
Upon arriving in Louisville, the singer hoped to find good fortune.
There was a maiden there from Lexington, was pleasing to my mind
There was a charming maiden from Lexington who caught the singer's interest.
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips like arrows pierced my breast
The maiden's physical features, like her rosy cheeks and ruby lips, deeply affected the singer emotionally.
And the name she bore was Flora, the lily of the west
The maiden's name was Flora, referred to as the lily of the west.
Well I courted lovely Flora, some pleasure there to find
The singer courted Flora with the intention of finding pleasure.
But she turned unto another man, which sore distressed my mind
Flora chose another man, causing great distress to the singer.
She robbed me of my liberty, deprived me of the rest
Flora not only left emotionally but also took away the singer's freedom.
Then go my lovely Flora, the lily of the west
The singer bids farewell to Flora, acknowledging her departure.
It was down in yonder shady grove, with a man of high degree
In a shady grove, Flora was seen with a man of high status, confusing the singer.
Conversing with my Flora there, and it seemed so strange to me
The conversation between Flora and the man seemed unusual to the singer.
The answer that she gave to him sore did my heart oppress
Flora's response to the man troubled the singer's heart.
I was betrayed by Flora, the lily of the west
The singer feels betrayed by Flora.
I stepped up to my rival, my dagger in my hand
The singer confronts the man with a dagger, demanding him to stand.
I seized him by the collar and boldly bade him stand
Driven to desperation, the singer attacks the rival.
Being mad to desperation, I pierced him in the breast
The singer pierces the rival's breast in a fit of madness.
It was all for the love of Flora, the lily of the west
The violent act is attributed to the singer's love for Flora.
I had to stand my trial, I had to make my plea
The singer faces trial and has to present a defense.
They put me in the criminal box and then commenced on me
Placed in the criminal box, the legal proceedings begin against the singer.
Although she stole my life away, deprived me of the rest
Despite Flora causing the singer's troubles, there is still love for her.
Still I love my faithless Flora, the lily of the west
Even though Flora stole the singer's life, the love for her remains.
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