Verse 1
Am 
There was a wealthy merchant, 
Am 
In London he did dwell. 
Am 
He had an onli daughter, 
        E                 Am 
And the truth to you I’ll tell. 
                 E             Am 
Play the lily o, play the lily o. 
 
Verse 2
Am 
Her sweetheart left the country, 
Am 
With trouble on his mind 
Am 
A leavin’ of his family 
        E               Am 
And his own true love behind. 
                 E             Am 
Play the lily o, play the lily o. 
 
Verse 3
Am 
This girl, she dressed herself 
Am 
All up in men’s array 
Am 
And to the war department 
         E               Am 
Straight way she marched away 
                 E             Am 
Play the lily o, play the lily o. 
 
Verse 4
Am 
 “Your waist is slim and slender, 
Am 
Your fingers they are small, 
Am 
Your cheeks too red and rosy 
   E               Am 
To face the cannon ball.” 
                 E             Am 
Play the lily o, play the lily o. 
 
Verse 5
Am 
 “I know my waist is slender, 
Am 
My fingers they are small 
Am 
But it would not make me tremble 
   E                Am 
To see ten thousand fall.” 
                 E             Am 
Play the lily o, play the lily o. 
 
Verse 6
Am 
When the war soon was over, 
Am 
This girl, she searched the ground 
Am 
Among the dead and wounded, 
         E                 Am 
Till her own true love she found. 
                 E             Am 
Play the lily o, play the lily o. 
 
Verse 7
Am 
This couple they got married, 
Am 
So well they did agree 
Am 
This couple, they got married 
    E               Am 
So, why not you and me. 
                 E             Am 
Play the lily o, play the lily o.