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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.

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