House Carpenter- Haynes (MA) 1923 R. Gordon
[From Adventure Magazine- Volume 41 - Page 191; 1923. Secured and published by Robert Gordon from Professor R. P. Utter of Amherst College, Massachusetts, who got it from his student, Camilla Haynes. Miss Haynes says: "This was mother's old song. It had once about thirty verses." The last two lines of each verse are repeated to form the chorus.
R. Matteson 2016]
The House Carpenter
"Well met, well met, my love," he said;
"Well met, well met, said he
For I have sailed the sea, salt sea
And it's all for the love of thee."
"For I have sailed the sea, salt sea,
And it's all for the love of thee."
"If you have sailed the sea, salt sea,
I'm sure you are to blame —
For I've just married a house-carpenter
And he is a very fine man."
"If you will leave your house-carpenter
And come along with me,
I'll take you where the grass grows green
By the side of the Sweet Willie."
"If I should leave my house-carpenter
And come along with you,
What have you there to keep me on,
And to keep me from misery?
" 'Tis I have seven ships at sea
All sailing for dry land,
And seven and twenty brave stout men
To come at thy command."
She took her baby in her arms
And gave it kisses three,
Saying, "You will stay with your dear papa;
He'll take good care o' thee."
They had not sailed a week past two.
Or two or scarcely three,
Before she grieved for her house-carpenter
Likewise her sweet baby.
They had not sailed a week past three,
Or three or scarcely four,
Until the vessel sprung a leak
And the mourner was heard no more.
Ships are apt to be lost at sea,
And sailors to lose their lives,
But this was for leaving the house-carpenter
And stealing away his wife.