When first I came to Louisville

Some pleasure there to find

A damsel fair from Lexington

Was pleasing my mind

Her cherry cheeks and ruby lips

Like arrows pierced my breast

They called her Handsome Mary

The Lily of the West

I courted her awhile

In hopes her love to gain

But she proved false to me

Which caused me much pain

She robbed me of my liberty

Deprived me of my rest

They called her Handsome Mary

The Lily of the West

One evening as I rambled

On down by a shady grove

I saw a man of low degree 

Conversing with my love

They were singing songs of melody

While I was sore distressed

O faithless, faithless Mary

The Lily of the West

I stepped up to my rival

My dagger in my hand

I caught him by the collar

And bravely made him stand

Being driven to desperation

I stabbed him in the breast

But was betrayed by Mary

The Lily of the West!

At length the day of trial came

I boldly made my plea

But the judge and jury 

They soon convicted me

To deceive both judge and jury 

So modestly she dressed

And there she swore my life away

The Lily of the West