WHEN FIRST I CAME TO LOUISVILLE
When first I came to Louisville
When Em first I Bm* came to G Louis- Aville
some Em pleasure Bm* there to Em find,
A damsel Bm* fair from G Lexing- D ton
was Em pleasing Bm* to my Em mind.
Her cherry Bm* cheeks and G ru- D by lips,
like Em arrows pierced my breast,
They called her Bm* Handsome G Ma- Ary,
the Em Lily Bm* of the Em West.
1. When first I came to Louisville
some pleasure there to find,
A damsel fair from Lexington
was pleasing to my mind.
Her cherry cheeks and ruby lips,
like arrows pierced my breast,
They called her Handsome MaAry,
the Lily of the West.
2. 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.
3. One evening as I rambled,
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!
4. I stepped up to my rival,
my dagger in my hand.
I caught him by the collar,
and boldly bade him stand ;
Being driven to desperation,
I stabbed him in the breast,
But was betrayed by Mary,
the Lily of the West!
5. 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.