The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #52047   Message #795711
Posted By: Brían
02-Oct-02 - 03:40 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Lily Of The West
Subject: RE: Origins: Lily Of The West
I have a version of this song by a Róise Bean Mhic Grianna(Rose Green) The melody appears to be THE HIRING FAIR AT HAMILTONSBAWN, but much slower, which is in the DT, but the midi is not working.

Rose, born in 1879 in Co. Donegal, Ireland, learned her songs from a variety of sources, as a servant girl in Co. Tyrone and the Laggan and as a tatie hoker in Scotland. She apparently learned this version from people on Arranmore Island returning from Chicago and Beaver Island, Michigan.

THE LILY OF THE WEST

I just came down from Lover's Well some pleasure for to find,
A handsome girl from Michigan so pleasing to my mind;
With rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes this arrow's pierced my breast
And they called her handsome Mary, the Lily of the West.

I courted her for many a day, her love I sought to gain
But too soon she slighted me which caused me grief and pain;
She stole away my liberty and deprived me of my rest
And they called her handsome Mary the Lily of the West.

As I roved out one evening down by a riverside
I spied a lord of high degree conversing to my bride;
He sang a song so merrily whilst I was sore oppressed
And he sang to handsome Mary, the Lily of the West.

I rushed up to my rival, a dagger in my hand,
I tore her from his arms and did him boldly stab;
Being mad with desperation my dagger pierced his breast
And I was betrayed by Mary, the Lily of the West

Yup, that's right. All her fault.