The House Carpenter- Clawson (NC) 1936 Scarborough E
[From Scarborough's A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains, 1937. Scarborough died in 1936 and the book was already completed. Bronson dates the versions 1931; for now I'll leave them pre1936. Her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2013]
Scarborough: Flossie Clawson, of Dark Ridge, North Carolina, sang a variant that adds some details not found in the others I got, such as the wife's thrifty inquiries as to what the suitor would support her on-she not being quite willing apparently to give -up the certainty of a meal-ticket, as well as a husband and child; and his boasts that he has three ships loaded down with gold which she may have at her command. This also has the final stanzas revealing heaven and hell, with emphasis on the latter.
This was given to me by Liltian Craig, of Roanoke, Virginia, who took it down from hearing Flossie Clawson sing it to her in Dark Ridge.
(E) The House Carpenter- Flossie Clawson of Dark Ridge, North Carolina (no date given, pre1936)
Well met, well met, my old true love,
Well met, well met, said he,
I have just returned from the salt, salt sea,
It was all for the love of thee.
I could have married the king's daughter,
I am sure she would have married me,
I slighted her and all her gold,
It was all for the sake of thee,
I slighted her and all her gold,
It was all for the sake of thee.
If you could have married a king's daughter,
I am sure you are to blame,
For I am married to a house carpenter
And I think he is a nice young man.
Won't you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me?
I'll take you to where the grass groweth green
On the banks of the deep blue sea.
I'll take you to where the grass groweth green
On the banks of the crystal lea.
If I forsake my house carpenter
And go along with thee,
What will you have to maintain me upon
And keep me from slavery?
I have three ships on the salt, salt sea
All loaded down with gold.
You may have them at your command
To keep you from slavery.
Then she picked up her sweet little babe
And gave it kisses three,
Saying, Stay at home, my sweet little babe,
Keep your papa company.
She dressed herself in silk so fine,
Most glorious to behold,
They went a-walking toward that ship
Outshine the glittering gold.
They hadn't been sailed but about three weeks,
I am sure it was not four,
Till she kneeled down in her true lover's arms
And wept most bitterly.
Are you weeping for my riches, love?
Are you weeping for my fee?
Are you weeping for your house carpenter
You never more shall see?
I am not a-weeping for your riches, love,
I am not weeping for your fee.
I am only weeping for my sweet little babe
That I never more shall see.
They hadn't been sailed but about three weeks,
I am sure it was not four,
Till there sprung a leak in the true lovers' ship
And it sunk to rise no more.
Oh, don't you see those banks, true love,
As white as any snow?
That's the banks of heaven, my old true love
Where all righteous people go.
Oh, don't you see that hole, true love,
As black as any crow?
That's the pit of hell, my old true love,
Where you and I must go.
Scarborough: We wonder what construction should be placed on the much emphasized fact that the husband was a house carpenter. He must have worked at his trade constantly, and each variant says a good word for him personally, as well, buthe is a negative person to be the title character in the ballad.