Jack Haggerty

I'm a heartbroken raftsman, from Greenville I came

All my virtues departed with a lass I did feign

From the strong darts of Cupid I've suffered much grief

And my heart's broke asunder, I can get no relief

Of my troubles I'll tell you without much delay

Of a sweet little lassie my heart stole away

She's a blacksmith's fair daughter on the flat riverside

And I always intended to make her my bride

Well I work on the river where the white waters roar

And my name I engrave on the high rock shore

I'm the boy who stands happy by the dark whirling stream

But my thoughts were on Molly, she haunted my dream

I gave her fine jewels, the finest of lace

And the costliest muslins, her form to embrace

I gave her my wages, all for to keep safe

I deprived her of nothing I had on this earth

While I worked on the river I earned quite a stake

I was steadfast and steady and ne'er played the rake

From camp and the river, I'm very well-known

And they call me Jack Haggerty, the pride of the town

She wrote me a letter which I did recieve

And she strayed from her promise, or so she believed

For to wed to another she had long time delayed

And the next time I see her she no more be a maid

To her mother, Jane Tucker, I lay all the blame

For she caused her to leave and go back on my name

For to cast off the riggings that God was to tie

And to leave me a rambler til the day that I die

So come all you bold raftsmen with hearts stout and true

Don't trust in a woman, you'll bleed if you do

But if you do meet one with the darkest of curls

Remember Jack Haggerty and the flat river girl