This version was collected in New York. The town is Glenville, the girl is Hannah, "riggings" has become "rigors" in verse 5 and that whole line is now a bit odd and borders on nonsense. The second line of verse 1 is also unusualJACK HAGGERTY (from: "Adirondack Voices" by Robert D Bethke, 1982 U. Illinois Press, as sung by Hamilton Ferry of Childwold)
1. I'm a broken-down raftsman, from Glenville I came,
And the last words of parting, and the last toils of fame,
For the sharp darts of Cupid, oh, they cause me much grief,
For my heart is asunder, and I can't find relief.
2. I'd worked on the river and I'd earned quite a stake,
Being steadfast and steady, I had ne'er proven the race
'Cause of the boy that was happy, by the bright, whirling stream,
And my thoughts were with Hannah, and she haunted my dreams.
3. Now, I'll dress my bride up in the finest of lace,
And the finest of silk herself to embrace;
Now, I gave her my money for me to keep safe;
I denied her of nothing that I have on this earth.
4. One day on the river, now, a note I received
Saying from her promise herself she'd relieve.
She'd been wed to a young man, not a great while of late,
And the next time I'd see her she would not be a maiden.
5. Now, it's to her mother I lay all the blame,
She told her forsake me, go back on my name;
For she uncast all rigors for God would soon tied,
And left me to wander till the day that I died.
6. Now it's good-bye, Flat River, and the girl I love best,
I'll shoulder my peavey and I will go west;
I'll go to Muskegon, some comfort to find,
And leave my only true love on the Flat River behind.
7. Now, come all ye good shantyboys with hearts kind and true,
Don't trust any woman, you'll be beat if you do;
And if ever you see one with those dark chestnut curls,
Just think of Jack Haggerty and the Flat River girl.
rich r