Franz Rickaby in "Ballads and Songs of the Shanty-Boy" (1926, Harvard Univ. Press) includes three versions of this song. His version "A" is the longest at 13 stanzas. Note that stanzas 5 and 7 each have an extra couplet, so that would make the total equivalent to 14 stanzas.

JACK HAGGERTY'S FLAT RIVER GIRL

I'm a heart-broken raftsman, from Greenville I came.
My virtues departed, alas! I declaim.
The strong darts of Cupid have caused me much grief.
Till my heart bursts asunder I will ne'er find relief.

I am by occupation a raftsman where the Flat River rolls.
My name is engraved on its rocks, sands, and shoals.
In shops, bars, and households I'm very well known.
They call me Jack Haggerty, the pride of the town.

I'll tell you my trouble without much delay,
How a sweet little lassie my heart stole away.
She was a blacksmith's daughter from the Flat River side,
And I always intended to make her my bride.
Her eyes they resembled the calm smiling sea.
Her skin was as white as the lilies of Spain,
Or the wing of the sea-gull as he skims o'er the main.

Her form like the dove was so slender and neat.
Her hair hung in ringlets to her tiny white feet.
Her voice was like music or the sigh of the breeze,
As she whispered she loved me as we strolled through the trees.
I thought her my darling, - what a gem for a wife.
When I think of her treachery it near takes my life.

I worked on the river, I earned quite a stake.
I was steadfast and steady and ne'er played the rake;
But buoyant and happy on the boiling white stream,
My thoughts were of Annie, she haunted my dreams.

I would have dressed her in jewels and the finest of lace,
In the choicest muslins her form would embrace.
I thought not of sorrow, of trouble or gloom,
My heart light and happy as the rays of the moon.
I gave her my wages, the same to keep safe;
I begrudged her of nothing I had on this earth.

One day on the river a letter I received.
She said from her promise herself she'd relieved
My brain whirled with anguish, it near drove me mad.
My courage all left me, I wished myself dead.

"I have no doubt this letter will cause you surprise,
And for disappointment must apologize.
My marriage to another I've a long time delayed,
And the next time you see me I shall ne'er be a maid."

To her mother, Jane Tucker, I lay all the blame.
She caused her to leave me and blacken my name.
She cast off the rigging that God would soon tie,
And left me a wanderer until the day that I die.

I will bid farewell to virtues divine.
I'll live in debauchery, fast women, and wine.
I'll leave Flat River, there I ne'er can find rest.
I'll shoulder my peavy and start for the West.

Now come all you young fellows with hearts brave and true,
Don't believe in a woman: You're beat if you do.
But if ever you see one with a brown chestnut curl,
Just think of Jack Haggerty and his Flat River girl.

Now my song it is ended, I hope it's leased all.
I sail in a packet that sails from White Hall.
The canvas is hoisted, and the wind blowing free,
As over the ocean sails Jack Haggerty.

rich r