Lily of the West – Traditional Irish. Lyrics and guitar chords
Song Meaning: "Lily of the West""Lily of the West" is a traditional folk ballad that tells the story of love, betrayal, and heartbreak. While its origins are debated (some believe it originated in England or Scotland before being adapted in Ireland), it became particularly popular as part of the Irish folk tradition. Artists such as Joan Baez and The Dubliners have covered the song, making it a folk standard.
Themes and Meaning:
Musical Style:Depending on the performer, the song can be slow and mournful or have a more upbeat, traditional folk sound. Joan Baez’s version is reflective and melancholic, while Irish folk versions tend to have a livelier tempo, emphasizing the song’s storytelling nature.
Conclusion:"Lily of the West" is a timeless folk ballad that captures the universal themes of love, betrayal, and regret. Its haunting lyrics and evocative melody have made it a favorite in both Irish and international folk music circles. The song’s tragic narrative and rich symbolism continue to resonate with audiences today.
Themes and Meaning:
- Unrequited Love and Betrayal:
The narrator falls deeply in love with a beautiful woman (the "Lily of the West") but discovers she is unfaithful. Despite his intense devotion, her actions lead to heartbreak and despair.- “I courted her for many a day / While to me she proved most kind and true” suggests initial happiness, but the tone shifts as betrayal becomes apparent.
- Jealousy and Violence:
The song describes the narrator catching the woman with another man. Overcome with jealousy and rage, he stabs the man, leading to his arrest.- “I saw a man she loved well / To him she gave her heart” reflects the pain of betrayal, leading to the narrator’s tragic actions.
- Regret and Sorrow:
The narrator laments his actions and reflects on the consequences. He feels trapped by his love for the woman, even though she caused his downfall.- “And though she swore my life away / Still she’s the Lily of the West” shows that, despite everything, he remains captivated by her beauty and charm.
- Symbolism of the "Lily":
The "Lily" is often a symbol of beauty, purity, and fragility, but in this context, it carries a more ironic meaning. While the woman is outwardly beautiful, her actions lead to destruction and pain for the narrator. - Folk Tragedy:
The song fits within the tradition of tragic folk ballads, which often feature doomed love, betrayal, and fatal consequences. Its narrative style and emotional intensity make it a classic example of folk storytelling.
Musical Style:Depending on the performer, the song can be slow and mournful or have a more upbeat, traditional folk sound. Joan Baez’s version is reflective and melancholic, while Irish folk versions tend to have a livelier tempo, emphasizing the song’s storytelling nature.
Conclusion:"Lily of the West" is a timeless folk ballad that captures the universal themes of love, betrayal, and regret. Its haunting lyrics and evocative melody have made it a favorite in both Irish and international folk music circles. The song’s tragic narrative and rich symbolism continue to resonate with audiences today.
The sheet music is included. Alterations by David Fink. (video clip by Mark Knopfler and The Chieftains. Everybody knows about Mark Knopfler being the guitarist and singer with Dire Straits but did you ever wonder how he got into the Irish music ? well the story goes that he was on holiday in Donegal and came upon a traditional Irish music session in a pub, as Marc was a rocker he wouldn't normally be mixing with folkies so trad. music was all new to him, he was amazed at the speed the musicians could play, he thought he was good 'till he seen these boys play fiddle and banjo at breakneck speed. From that session he got hooked on folk music and has since recorded many Irish folk songs. There you go, you learn something new everyday. The pdf for the piano sheet music with chords for download included.
When (C)first I came to (G)Done(C)gal some (Am)pleasure (F/G)for to (C)find (F)
It's (C)there I (G/B)spied a (Am)damsel (Em)fair, was (C)pleasing to my (F)mind
Her (C)rosy (G/B)cheeks and (Am)sparkling (Em)eyes like (C)arrows pierced my (F)breast
And the (C)name she bore was (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
I (C)courted lovely (G)Molly (C)O’, the (Am)cailin (F/G)soft and (C)fine (F)
But she (C)turned on(G/B)to an(Am)other (Em)man, which (C)sore distressed my (F)mind
She (C)robbed me (G/B)of my (Am)liber(Em)ty, de(C)prived me of my (F)rest
Then (C)go my lovely (G)Molly (C)O’, the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
One (C)day as I was (G)walking (C)down all (Am)by a (F/G)shady (C)grove (F)
I (C)spied a (G/B)fancy (Am)English (Em)lord con(C)versing with my (F)love
As she (C)sang the (G/B)song de(Am)lightful(Em)ly while (C)I was sore op(F)pressed
I (C)was betrayed by (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
I (C)stepped up to my (G)ri(C)val, my (Am)dagger (F/G)in my (C)hand (F)
And I (C)dragged the (G/B)Brit from (Am)my false (Em)love and (C)boldly bade him (F)stand
But (C)being (G/B)mad with (Am)desper(Em)ation I (C)stabbed him in his (F)breast
I was (C)then deceived by (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
I (C)then did shortly (G)stand my (C)trial, and (Am)boldly (F/G)I did (C)plead (F)
A (C)flaw was (G/B)in my in(Am)dictment (Em)found and (C)that soon had me (F)freed
That (C)beauty (G/B)bright I (Am)did a(Em)dore, the (C)judge did her ad(F)dress
Now (C)go, you faithless (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
Now (C)that I've gained my (G)liber(C)ty a-(Am)rovin' (F/G)I will (C)be (F)
I’ll (C)ramble (G/B)through old (Am)Ire(Em)land my (C)country brave and (F)free
Though she (C)thought to (G/B)swear my (Am)life a(Em)way she (C)still disturbs my (F)rest,
I (C)yet must style her, (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west. (C)
It's (C)there I (G/B)spied a (Am)damsel (Em)fair, was (C)pleasing to my (F)mind
Her (C)rosy (G/B)cheeks and (Am)sparkling (Em)eyes like (C)arrows pierced my (F)breast
And the (C)name she bore was (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
I (C)courted lovely (G)Molly (C)O’, the (Am)cailin (F/G)soft and (C)fine (F)
But she (C)turned on(G/B)to an(Am)other (Em)man, which (C)sore distressed my (F)mind
She (C)robbed me (G/B)of my (Am)liber(Em)ty, de(C)prived me of my (F)rest
Then (C)go my lovely (G)Molly (C)O’, the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
One (C)day as I was (G)walking (C)down all (Am)by a (F/G)shady (C)grove (F)
I (C)spied a (G/B)fancy (Am)English (Em)lord con(C)versing with my (F)love
As she (C)sang the (G/B)song de(Am)lightful(Em)ly while (C)I was sore op(F)pressed
I (C)was betrayed by (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
I (C)stepped up to my (G)ri(C)val, my (Am)dagger (F/G)in my (C)hand (F)
And I (C)dragged the (G/B)Brit from (Am)my false (Em)love and (C)boldly bade him (F)stand
But (C)being (G/B)mad with (Am)desper(Em)ation I (C)stabbed him in his (F)breast
I was (C)then deceived by (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
I (C)then did shortly (G)stand my (C)trial, and (Am)boldly (F/G)I did (C)plead (F)
A (C)flaw was (G/B)in my in(Am)dictment (Em)found and (C)that soon had me (F)freed
That (C)beauty (G/B)bright I (Am)did a(Em)dore, the (C)judge did her ad(F)dress
Now (C)go, you faithless (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west (C)
Now (C)that I've gained my (G)liber(C)ty a-(Am)rovin' (F/G)I will (C)be (F)
I’ll (C)ramble (G/B)through old (Am)Ire(Em)land my (C)country brave and (F)free
Though she (C)thought to (G/B)swear my (Am)life a(Em)way she (C)still disturbs my (F)rest,
I (C)yet must style her, (G)Molly (C)O', the (Am)lily (F/G)of the (Csus)west. (C)
| lily-of-the-west-piano-sheet-music.pdf |
