Collected by Ellen G. Ledbetter Sung by Mrs. J. A. Pratt For M. C. Parler Quinton, Okla.
June 24, 1960
Reel 385, Item 1
THE HOUSE CARPENTER Well met, well met, my pretty fair miss.
Well met, well met said he.
I've just returned from the salt water sea And it's all for the love of thee.
I could have been married to the King's daughtery I'm sure she'd of married me But I refused a crown of gold And it's all for the love of thee.
If you could have been married to a king's daughtery
I'm sure you are to blame
For I'm married to a house carpenter
And I think he is a nice young man.
If you'll forsake your house carpenter And go along with me
I'll take you where the grass growth green On the banks of the sweet Will-llee.
If I forsake my house carpenter And go along with thee What have you got to maintain me by Or keep me from slavery?
Four and forty jolly boats A sailing for dry land Four and forty jolly sailor boats You may have at your command.
She called her sweet little babe in Kisses she gave it three
Saying, Stay, Oh stay, my sweet little babe And keep your papa company.
She dressed herslef in robes of silk Most glorious to behold And as she walked the streets all alone Her garments shone like gold.
They hadn't been gone but about two weeks I'm sure it was not three Until this lady began to weep And she wept most bitterly.
What are you mourning for, my love,
Are you morning for more store?
Or are you morning for the House Carpenter That you never shall see anymore?
I neither morn for the house carpenter,/nor for more store But I'm morning for my sweet little babe Whose face I shall see no more.
continuedTHE HOUSE CARPENTER CONTINUED Reel 385, Item 1
They hadn't been gone out about three weeks,
I'm sure it was not four
Until the ship it sprung a leak
And sunk for to rise no more.
Oh Curses, Curses, sailor said she, Curses the rest of your life For the robbing of the house carpenter Taking away his wife.
