House Carpenter- Pratt (OK) 1960 Parler
[From: Ozark Folk Song Collection Reel 385, Item 1.
Collected by Ellen G. Ledbetter For M. C. Parler
R. Matteson 2016]
THE HOUSE CARPENTER - Sung by Mrs. J. A. Pratt of Quinton, Oklahoma on June 24, 1960.
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-ee.
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
And kisses she gave it three
Saying, Stay, Oh stay, my sweet little babe
And keep your papa company.
She dressed herself 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.
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.