House Carpenter- McAlexander (VA) 1976 Lornell REC
[From Digital Appalachia on-line. Their notes follow.
This probably dates back to the late 1920s or early 1930s when Eunice and Ruby were students at Teachers State College in Virginia. Both were recorded by Kyle Davis Jr. in the early 1930s but he apparently never recorded this ballad.
R. Matteson 2016]
NOTES: Eunice McAlexander sings a ballad during an interview by Kip Lornell. This takes place near Meadows of Dan, Virginia. Ruby Plemmons is also present, and being interviewed.
House Carpenter- Sung by Eunice McAlexander of Patrick County (Virginia) on 10/25/1976.
1. "Well met, well met, my own true love,"
"Well met, well met," said she
"I've just returned from the salt, salt sea,
And it's all for the sake of thee.
I've just returned from the salt, salt sea,
And it's all for the sake of thee."
2. I could have married a king's daughter
Or fain she would have married me.
But I refused that crown of gold
And it's all for the sake of thee. [bis.]
3. If you could have married a king's daughter
I'm sure you are to blame
For I have married a house carpenter
And I think he's a fine young man." [bis.]
4. If you will leave your house carpenter
And go along with me;
I'll take you to where the grass is evergreen
On the banks of sweet Italy." [bis]
5."If I should leave my house carpenter
And go come along with thee,
What have you there to support me upon,
And to keep me from poverty?" [bis]
6. "I have three hundred armored men,
And seven ships at sea,
And that is enough to support you upon
And to keep you from poverty." [bis]
7. They had not been at sea two weeks,
I'm sure it was not three,
Till she began to mourn and weep
And wept most bitterly. [bis]
7. "Oh, are you weeping for my gold
Or is it for my store?
Or is it for your house carpenter
That you never will see?" [bis]
8. "I'm not weeping for your gold
Or is it for your store,
I'm weeping for my purdy little babe,
That I never shall see anymore." [bis]
9. They had not been at sea three weeks,
I'm sure it was not four,
Till the ship sprang a leak and it did sink
And it sank to rise no more.