FLAT RIVER GIRL (Beck "Lore of the Lumber Camps" version D from George R Rice of Reed City)

1. I'm a brokenhearted raftsman, from Greenville I came.
My virtue is departed; by a lass I'm defamed.
The cruel darts of Cupid have caused me much grief;
Till my heart bursts asunder, I shall ne'er find relief.

2. By occupation I'm a raftsman where the white waters roll;
My name is engraved on the rocks and sand shoals.
Through shop, bar and housetop I'm very well known;
They call me Jack Haggerty, the pride of the town

3. Of my troubles I'll tell you without more delay,
How a sweet little lassie my heart stole away;
She's a blacksmith's daughter by the Flat River side
And I always intended for to make her my bride.

4. I called her my darling, what a gem for a wife!-
When I think of her treachery it near takes my life.
I took her to suppers, to parties, to balls;
And Sunday boat riding was my first early calls.

5. Her form like the dove it was slender and neat;
Her hair hung in ringlets to her tiny white feet.
She told me she loved me as we strolled through the town,
Her voice soft as music or the rays of the moon.

6. I dressed her in jewels and the finest of lace;
In the richest of muslins her form I encased.
I gave her my wages for her to keep safe,
And begrudged her nothing upon this earth's face.

7. I worked on the river and earned quite a stake;
I was steadfast and steady; I ne'er played the rake
I'm the boy that stands happy on the white rolling streams:
My thoughts were of Anna; she haunted my dreams.

8. One day on the river a letter I received,
Which said of her promises herself she'd relieved.
My brain whirled with anguish which near set me mad;
This world seemed so dreary that I wished I was dead.

9. "No doubt but this letter will cause some surprise;
And for disappointments I must apologize.
For to wed my true lover I've a long time delayed,
And the next time you see me I will not be a maid."

10. On her mother, Jane Tucker, I lay all the blame;
She has caused her to leave me and to blacken my name.
She has cast off the rigging that God soon would tie
And left me to wander till the day that I die.

11. Now farewell to Flat River. For me there's no rest:
I'll shoulder my peavey, and I will go West;
I will go to Muskegon some comfort to find,
And leave my old true love and Flat River behind.

12. Now come all you jolly raftsmen with hearts stout and true,
Don't depend on a woman; you're beat if you do.
And whenever you see one with long chestnut curls,
Just think of Jack Haggerty and his Flat River girl.

This is one of the longer texts. Our hero is known from all the housetops, sounds like a Santa thing. He also has taken to engraving his name on the sand shoals which is probably not the ideal way to be remembered for a long time. He goes all out to entertain his love with dinners, dances, and boat rides. He also displays the most anguish with whirling madness and suicidal thoughts, but he seems to make it to Muskegon like all the others.

rich r