The House Carpenter

Cat. #0269 (MFH #246) - As sung by Mrs. Roxie Phillips, Berryville, Arkansas on November 4, 1958

VERSE 1
Well met, well met, my own true love
Well met, well met, cried he
I've jest returned from th salt water sea and
N' it's all for th sake of thee
And it's all for th sake of thee

VERSE 2
I could have married a kings daughter fair
She offered marriage, to me
But I refused on th crown of gold
And it's all for th sake of thee
An' it's all for th sake of thee

VERSE 3
If you could have married a kings daughter fair
I'm sure you are to blame
But I have married a house carpenter
And I think he's a fine young man
And I think he's a fine young man

VERSE 4
O, won't you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me
I'll take you were th lilies grow green
On th banks of th sweet Willie
On th banks of th sweet Willie

VERSE 5
Then, she went into another room
And dressed herself, most gay
And a veil, she threw, all over her face
Outshined th glittering day
Out shined th glittering day

VERSE 6
Then, she called her babes around her knees
And gave them kisses three
Saying, stay at home with your Papa dear
An' keep him company
An' keep him company

VERSE 7
We had'nt been on sea but about two weeks
I'm sure, not quite three
When th fair young lady begin to weep
And she wept most bitterly
An' she wept most bitterly

VERSE 8
O, do you weep for gold my love
Or, do you weep for fear
Or, do you weep for th house carpenter
That you never shall see any more
That you never shall see any more

VERSE 9
I do not weep for gold, my love
Nor do I weep for fear
But I do weep for th three little babes
That I left when I came with you here
That I left when I came with you here

VERSE 10
We had'nt been on sea but about three weeks
I'm sure not quite four
When th fair young lady, threw herself overboard
An' her weeping was heered, no more
And her weeping was heard, no more

Variants