House Carpenter- Parker (AR) 1975 Hunter REC
[From The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection online. I've done some minor editing.
R. Matteson 2013]
House Carpenter- As sung by Kris Ann Parker, Springfield, Missouri on March 20, 1975
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=1523
VERSE 1
Well met, well met, my own true love
Well met, well met, cried he
I've just returned from the salt, salt, sea
All for the love of thee.
VERSE 2
I could have married the King's daughter, dear
She would have married me
But I have forsaken a crown of gold
All for the love of thee
VERSE 3
Well, if you could have married the King's daughter, dear
I'm sure you are to blame
For I am married to a house carpenter
Find him a nice young man
VERSE 4
Well, could you forsake your house carpenter
An' go along with me
I'll take you where the grass grows green
By th banks of the salt, salt sea.
VERSE 5
An' if I should forsake my house carpenter
An' go along with you,
What have you got to maintain me on
Keep me from poverty?
VERSE 6
Six ships, six ships, all out on the sea
Seven more upon dry land
One hundred an' ten, all brave sailor men
Will be at your command.
VERSE 7
She pick-ed up her wee little babe
An' kisses gave him three
Stay right here with my house carpenter
An' keep him good company.
VERSE 8
Well, they'd not been gone but about two weeks
I'm sure it was not three
The fair young lady begin to weep
She wept most bitterly
VERSE 9
Why do you weep my fair, pretty maid
Weep for your golden store
Or do you weep for your house carpenter
Never you shall see anymore
VERSE 10
I do not weep for my house carpenter
Or for any golden store
But do I weep for my wee little babe
Never shall see anymore
VERSE 11
Well, they had not been gone but about three weeks
I'm sure it was not four
The gallant ship sprang a leak an' sank
Never to rise anymore
VERSE 12
Two times around spun our gallant ship
Three times around spun she
Four times around spun our gallant ship
An' sank to the bottom of the sea.
VERSE 13
What hills, what hills are those, my love
Those hills so fair an' high
Those are the hills of pain, my love
Not for you an' I.
VERSE 14
An' what hills, what hills, are those my love
Those hills so tall an' low
Those are the hills of Hell my love
Where you and I must go.