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 curl
Remember Jack Haggerty and the flat river girl