George Mercer

Jack Haggerty

I'm a heartbroken raftsman, From Greenville I came; All my virtue's departed With the lass I did fain. From the strong darts of Cupid I've suffered much grief; My heart's broke asunder, I can ne'er get relief.

Of my trouble I'll tell you Without much delay; Of a sweet little lassie My heart stole away. She was a blacksmith's daughter On the Flat River Side, And I always intended To make her my bride.

By occupation I was a raftsman Where the white waters roll My name I've engraved On the high rocks and shoal. I am the boy that stands happy On the dark purling stream; My thoughts were on Molly, She haunted my dream. I gave her fine jewels, And the finest of lace; The costliest muslins Her form embraced. I gave her my wages All for to keep safe, I deprived her of nothing I had on this earth.

I worked on the river Till I earned quite a stake, Was steadfast, steady, And ne'er played the rake. O'er the camp, flat and river I am very well known. They call me Jack Haggerty The pride of the town.

Till one day on the river A letter I received. She said from her promise Herself she'd relieve. To wed with another She'd a long time delayed, And the next time I'd see her She'd never more be a maid.

To her mother,Jane Tucker, I laid all the blame; She caused her to leave me And go back on my name, To cast off the riggings That God would tie,And leave me a wanderer Til the day that I die.

Now good-bye to Flat River For me there is no rest. I'll shoulder my peavy And go further West; I'll go to Muskegon Some comforts to find, And leave my old sweetheart And Flat River behind.

Now come all ye bold raftsmen with hearts stout and true, Don't trust to a woman, You're beat if you do! But if you do meet one With a dark chestnut curl, Remember Jack Haggerty And the Flat River Girl!

I sang my version of the Mick Hanley version which he of course seems to have changed, as well. I like the verse about going to Muskegon which he leaves out. I always thought it was an English or Irish song. The notes confirm Art's story, that it was a product of the Michigan woods and a spite song. Dan McGinnis was annoyed that George Mercer, a younger man, had been appointed woods boss over him. McGinnis and others concocted this song in 1872 about an affair between Haggerty, a good looking lumberjack at the camp and Anna Tucker, the belle of Greenville and Mercer's fiance. HG oct00

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