Jack Haggerty - Touchstone

I’m a heartbroken raftsman, from Greenville I came

All my virtue’s departed with a lass I did fain

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

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

Of my trouble I’ll tell you without much delay

Of a sweet little lassie my heart stole away

She’s a blacksmith’s fair daughter from the flat river side

And I always intended to make her my bride

I work on the river where the white waters roar

And my name I’ve engraved on the high rocky shore

I’m the boy that stands happy on the dark, burling 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

For Camp Flat and river I’m very well known

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

Till she wrote me a letter, which I did receive

And she said from her promise herself she’d relieve

For to wed to another she’d a long time delayed

And the next time I’d see her she’d 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 ye bold raftsmen with hearts stout and true

Don’t trust to a woman 'cause you’re beat if you do

And if you do meet one with a dark chestnut curl

Remember Jack Haggerty and the Flat River girl!