Kathi Jackson,
author
Lily's War, A Novel
Lily's War was inspired by the very old folk song, "The Lily of the West." Although the words may vary in some versions (Sometimes Flora is Mollie), the tune is always the same.
I've put the words here so you can see what the book is about. There's more in the book, but it follows the song.
The Lily of the West
When first I came to Louisville
Some pleasure there to find
A damsel there from Lexington
Was pleasin' to my mind.
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips
Like arrows pierced my breast
And the name she bore was Flora
The Lily of the West.
I courted lovely Flora
Some pleasure there to find
But she turned unto another man
Which sore distressed my mind.
She robbed me of my liberty
Deprived me of my rest.
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
It 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 stepped up to my rival
My dagger in my hand.
I seized him by the collar
And I boldly bade him stand.
Being a man to desperation
I pierced him in the breast.
All because of Flora
The Lily of the West.
I had to stand my trial
I had to make my plea.
They placed me in the criminal box
And then commenced on me.
Although she swore my life away
Deprived me of my rest,
Still I loved my faithless Flora
The Lily of the West.