House Carpenter; Well Met; Daemon Lover; James Harris
Old-time Ballad; See also US Versions of Child 243 in 305 Child Ballads
ARTIST: Gaither Carlton- fiddle; Anne Watson -vocal
Listen To: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/afcreed:@field(NUMBER+@band(afcreed+13037a15))
CATEGORY: Fiddle and Instrumental songs
DATE: 1963 EARLIEST DATE: Late 1800s- early 1900s
RECORDING INFO: House Carpenter
Traditional Ballad Index:
Clarence Ashley, "The House Carpenter" (Columbia 15654-D, 1931; rec. 1930; on AAFM1, BefBlues3) {Bronson's #70}
Clarence Ashley & Tex Isley, "The House Carpenter" (on Ashley01)
Pearl Jacobs Borusky, "Well Met, My Old True Love" (AFS, 1940; on LC58) {Bronson's #103}
Sheila Clark, "House Carpenter" (on LegendTomDula)
Carolina Tar Heels, "Can't You Remember When Your Heart Was Mine?" (Victor V-40219, 1930)
Dillard Chandler, "Little Farmer Boy" (on Chandler01)
Mrs. Mary Ann Galpin, "The Young Ship's Carpenter" (on PeacockCDROM) [one verse only]
Rebecca King Jones, "The House Carpenter" [excerpt] (on USWarnerColl01)
Bradley Kincaid, "The House Carpenter" (Bluebird 5255/Sunrise 3338, 1933)
A. L. Lloyd, "The Demon Lover" (on Lloyd3, ESFB1, ESFB2)
Almeda Riddle, "The House Carpenter" (on LomaxCD1706) {Bronson's #71}
Jean Ritchie, "The House Carpenter" (on JRitchie01)
Jean Ritchie & Doc Watson, "The House Carpenter" (on RitchieWatson1, RitchiteWatsonCD1)
Hobart Smith & Texas Gladden, "The House Carpenter" (Disc 6079, 1940s) {Bronson's #47}
Lillie Steele, "The House Carpenter" (on PSteele01) {Bronson's #24}
Doug Wallin, "The House Carpenter" (on Wallins1)
Clay Walters, "The Ship Carpenter" (AFS, 1937; on LC58) {Bronson's #13 or #78}
Annie Watson & Gaither Carlton, "The House Carpenter" (on Watson01)
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 18(255), "House Carpenter," J.H. Johnson (Philadelphia), n.d.
LOCSinging, sb40538b, "The House Carpenter," H. De Marsan (New York), 1864-1878; also as105530, "The House Carpenter"
Folk Index:
Rt - I Married a Carpenter; False Young Man
At - Demon Lover; Salt Salt Sea; James Harris; Can't You Remember When Your Heart Was Mine ; Salt-Water Sea
Sandburg, Carl (ed.) / American Songbag, Harcourt, Sof (1955/1928), p 66
Dunson, Josh; & Ethel Raim (eds) / Anthology of American Folk Music, Oak, Sof (1973), p 24
Friedman, Albert B. (ed.) / Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-S, Viking, sof (1963/1957), p 14 [1810ca] (James Harris)
Lloyd, A. L. & Isabel Arete de Ramon y Rivera (eds.) / Folk Songs of the, Oak, Sof (1966), # 27
Lynn, Frank (ed.) / Songs for Swingin' Housemothers, Fearon, Sof (1963/1961), p282
Best, Dick & Beth (eds.) / New Song Fest Deluxe, Hansen, Sof (1971/1948), p 18
Cox, John Harrington(ed.) / Traditional Ballads Mainly from West Virgini, WPA, Bk (1939), 12D [1920s]
Leisy, James F. (ed.) / Hootenanny Tonight!, Gold Medal Books, sof (1964), p188
Clayre, Alasdair (ed.) / 100 Folk Songs and New Songs, Wolfe, Sof (1968), p 84 (Demon Lover)
Leisy, James F. (ed.) / Folk Song Abecedary, Bonanza, Bk (1966), p166
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p599
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p602 [1785]
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p603
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p605 [1860] (Demon Lover)
Aaron, Tossi. Tossi Sings Folk Songs and Ballads, Prestige International INT 13027, LP (196?), trk# A.06
Armstrong, Lena; & Etta Jones. Traditional Music of Beech Mountain, NC, Vol I, Folk Legacy FSA 022, LP (1964), trk# 5 [1963]
Ashley, Clarence (Thomas/Tom). Anthology of American Folk Music, Smithsonian/Folkways SFW 40090, CD( (1997), trk# 3 [1930/04/14]
Ashley, Clarence (Thomas/Tom). Friedman, Albert B. (ed.) / Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-S, Viking, sof (1963/1957), p 16 [1930/04/14]
Baber, Carrie. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p166/# 30A [1921/09/03]
Baez, Joan. Joan Baez in Concert, Vanguard VRS 9112, LP (1962), trk# B.02
Baez, Joan. Siegmeister, Elie (arr.) / Joan Baez Song Book, Ryerson Music, Sof (1971/1964), p 66
Beers Family. Dumbarton's Drums, Columbia CS 9472, LP (1967), trk# 6
Bennett, Virginia. Sharp, Cecil & Maude Karpeles (eds.) / Eighty English Folk Songs from th, MIT Press, Sof (1968), p 48b [1917ca]
Bennett, Virginia. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p254/# 35M [1918/09/13] (Daemon Lover)
Berea College Students. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p257/# 35S [1917/05/20] (Daemon Lover)
Bernard, Grace. Cox, John Harrington (ed.) / Folk-Songs of the South, Dover, Sof (1967/1925), p142/# 25C [1917/01]
Bishop, Mrs.. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p246/# 35C [1909/07/16] (Daemon Lover)
Boone, Julie. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p258/# 35V [1918/10/03] (Daemon Lover)
Bradley, Mrs. Tom. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p168/# 30B [1928/11/04]
Buckner, Sarah. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p245/# 35B [1916/09/18] (Daemon Lover)
Carolina Tar Heels. Mountain Frolic. Rare Old Timey Classics; 1924-37, JSP 77100A-D, CD (2007), trk# D.08 [1928/10/11] (Can't You Remember When Your Heart Was Mine)
Carter, Francis (Mrs.). Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p256/# 35O [1917/09/07] (Daemon Lover)
Chandler, Anelize. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p252/# 35J [1916/08/28] (Daemon Lover)
Chandler, Dillard. End of an Old Song, Folkways FA 2418, LP (1975), trk# 15 (Little Farmer Boy)
Chisholm, Mrs. Ef.. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p256/# 35N [1918/10/03] (Daemon Lover)
Clapp, June. Buttermilk Hill, Butterfly CP 1992, Cas (1992), trk# A.03
Clark, LaRena. Fowke, Edith (ed.) / The Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs, Penguin, Sof (1973), p186/#81 [1961]
Clawson, Flossie. Scarborough, Dorothy(ed.) / A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains, AMS, Bk (1966/1937), p156 [1930]
Clawson, Patricia. Hubbard, Lester A. / Ballads and Songs from Utah, Univ. of Utah, Bk (1961), p 30/# 13B [1947/03/04]
Collier, Evelyn. Scarborough, Dorothy(ed.) / A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains, AMS, Bk (1966/1937), p151,400 [1930]
Copeland, Louise. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p173/# 30M [1940ca]
Cowden, Noble. McNeil, W. K. (ed.) / Southern Folk Ballads, Vol 2, August House, Sof (1988), p122 [1979/12] (House Carpenter's Wife)
Crane, Addy. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p252/# 35K [1916/08/31] (Daemon Lover)
Day, James William (Jilson Setters). Scarborough, Dorothy(ed.) / A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains, AMS, Bk (1966/1937), p158 [1930ca]
Dethrow, J. A.. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p169/# 30D [1940/05/17]
Devlin, Jennie Hess. Newman, Katharine D. / Never Without a Song, U. Illinois, Sof (1995), p125 [1937ca]
Dickel Brothers. Dickel Brothers Volume One, Empty Records MTR 376, LP (1999), trk# B.01
Donald, Laura Virginia (V.). Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p256/# 35P [1918/06/06] (Daemon Lover)
Duvall, Leone. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p170/# 30H [1924/04/02]
Dyer-Bennet, Richard. Sing Out Reprints, Sing Out, Sof, 5, p24 (1963)
Dyer-Bennet, Richard. Richard Dyer-Bennet 3, Dyer-Bennet 3000, LP (1957), trk# B.05
Edwards, George. Cazden, Norman, et.al. / Folk Songs of the Catskills, SUNY Press, sof (1982), p274/# 74 [1940s] (Ship's Carpenter)
Edwards, George. Cazden, Norman / Abelard Folk Song Book, Abelard-Schuman, Bk (1958), p 82 (Ship's Carpenter)
Gentry, Jane Hicks. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p251/# 35H [1916/09/12] (Daemon Lover)
Gentry, Jane Hicks. Smith, Betty N. / Jane Hicks Gentry. A Singer Among Singers, U. Ky, Sof (1998), p159/#18 [1916/09/12] (Daemon Lover)
Gladden, Texas. Anglo American Ballads, Library of Congress AFS L 1, LP (1956), trk# A.01 [1941]
Gladden, Texas. Lomax, Alan / Folk Songs of North America, Doubleday Dolphin, Sof (1975/1960), p182/# 88 [1941]
Gladden, Texas. Ballad Legacy, Rounder 1800, CD (2001/1941), trk# 21 [1946]
Gladden, Texas. Seeger, Pete; with Jo Metcalf Schwartz / Incompleat Folksinger, Simon & Schuster, Bk (1972), p114
Griffin, Mrs. G. A.. Morris, Alton C. / Folksongs of Florida, Univ. Florida, Bk (1950), p31/#168A [1934-39]
Grossman, Stefan. Yazoo Basin Boogie, Transatlantic TRA-217, LP (1970), trk# B.01
Grossman, Stefan. Grossman, Stefan (ed.) / Book of Guitar Tunings, Amsco, Sof (1972), p59
Grossman, Stefan. Grossman, Stefan / Tab Book for Yazoo Basin Boogie, Kicking Mule TB 102, sof (1975), p10
Gunning, Sarah Ogan. Silver Dagger, Rounder 0051, LP (1976), trk# 13
Hall, Mary. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p173/# 30L [1942/03/14]
Hare, A. J. (Professor). Cox, John Harrington (ed.) / Folk-Songs of the South, Dover, Sof (1967/1925), p148,524/# 25L [1916ca]
Hewitt, Emma and Effie. Cox, John Harrington(ed.) / Traditional Ballads Mainly from West Virgini, WPA, Bk (1939), 12C [1924ca]
Hindman School Students. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p258/# 35U [1917/09/20] (Daemon Lover)
Horn, Mrs. Stanley. Wolfe, Charles K.(ed.) / Folk Songs of Middle Tennessee. George Boswell, Univ. Tennesse, Sof (1997), p 7/# 3 [1949/06/04]
Horton, Abe. Old Time Music from Fancy Gap, Heritage (Galax) 019 (XIX), LP (1978), trk# 17
Horton, Abe. 39th National Folk Festival, NCTA NCTA 77, LP (1977), trk# A.04
House, Hester. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p251/# 35I [1916/09/15] (Daemon Lover)
Ingenthron, Charles. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p176/# 30O [1941/09/04]
Johnson, Lawrence. Cox, John Harrington(ed.) / Traditional Ballads Mainly from West Virgini, WPA, Bk (1939), 12A [1927ca]
Johnson, Nora. McNeil, W. K. (ed.) / Southern Folk Ballads, Vol 2, August House, Sof (1988), p124 [1935/04]
Jones, Rebecca. McNeil, W. K. (ed.) / Southern Folk Ballads, Vol 2, August House, Sof (1988), p126 [1933/05]
Keene, Laura. Scarborough, Dorothy(ed.) / A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains, AMS, Bk (1966/1937), p155 [1930]
Kelley, Lewis. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p169/# 30C [1931/08/12]
Kelley, Lizzie. Cox, John Harrington (ed.) / Folk-Songs of the South, Dover, Sof (1967/1925), p141/# 25B [1917/01]
Kincaid, Bradley. Bradley Kincaid. Volume 2, Old Homestead OHCS 155, LP (1984), trk# B.04 [1933/08/14]
Kincaid, Bradley. Mountain Ballads and Old Time Solos. Album Number Three, Bluebonnet BL 109, LP (1963), trk# B.04 [1963/07ca]
Kinnard, H. D.. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p258/# 35T [1917/05/27] (Daemon Lover)
Mac Kinnon, Raun. American Folk Songs, Parkway SP 7024, LP (1962), trk# A.01
Mason, S. J.. Pound, Louise (ed.) / American Ballads and Songs, Scribner, Sof (1972/1922), p 43/# 17 [1908]
McClellan, Mrs. C. S.. Morris, Alton C. / Folksongs of Florida, Univ. Florida, Bk (1950), p312/#168B [1934-39]
McCord, May Kennedy. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p174/# 30N [1941/10/21]
McCoy, Sarah B.. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p170/# 30G [1930ca]
McDonald, Mrs. H. L.. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p176/# 30P [1942/02/10]
McGuire, Audrey. Tennessee: The Folk Heritage, Vol. 2. The Mountains, Tennessee Folklore Soc. TFS 103, LP (1980), trk# 4 [1964]
Morris, Polly. Scarborough, Dorothy(ed.) / A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains, AMS, Bk (1966/1937), p152,401 [1930]
Nelms, R. L.. Moore, Ethel & Chauncey (ed.) / Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest, Univ. of Okla, Bk (1964), p112/# 46 [1930s]
O'Neill, Rose. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p171/# 30J [1940/06/14]
Paugh, Ida Knapp. Cox, John Harrington (ed.) / Folk-Songs of the South, Dover, Sof (1967/1925), p146/# 25E [1915-1916]
Pentangle. Basket of Light, Reprise 8004, LP (1970), trk# 9
Pettit, Katherine. Niles, John Jacob / Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, Bramhall House, Bk (1961), p296/N 55 [1933/08]
Pratt, Mrs. Doc.. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p257/# 35Q [1917/09/22] (Daemon Lover)
Ramsey, Mrs. Sylvaney. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p249/# 35E [1916/09/01] (Daemon Lover)
Ray, May. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p252/# 35L [1917/04/29] (Daemon Lover)
Reber, Rosina Staley. Hubbard, Lester A. / Ballads and Songs from Utah, Univ. of Utah, Bk (1961), p 28/# 13A [1947/08/10] (Ship's Carpenter)
Rice, David. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p169/# 30E [1936/12/14]
Riddle, Almeda. Southern Journey. Vol. 6: Sheep, Sheep, Don'tcha Know the Road, Rounder 1706, CD (1997), trk# 7 [1959/10]
Riddle, Almeda. Abrahams, Roger D.(ed.) / A Singer and Her Songs. Almeda Riddle's Book o, Louisiana State U. Press, Bk (1970), p 7 [1964-67]
Ritchie, Jean. British Traditional Ballads in the Southern Mountains (Vol. 1), Folkways FA 2301, LP (1961), trk# 5
Ritchie, Jean; and Doc Watson. Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson At Folk City, Smithsonian/Folkways SF 40005, LP (1990/1963), trk# 16
Roberts, Mrs. Willie. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p257/# 35R [1918/05/22] (Daemon Lover)
Rorick, Dorothy. Old Originals, Vol. 2, Rounder 0058, LP (1978), trk# 18 [1974/03/07]
Rorick, Dorothy. Old Time Music. The Essential Collection, Rounder 1166, CD (2002), trk# 12 [1974/03/07]
Ross, Ab. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p169/# 30F [1927/07/07]
Russell, Lawrence. Old Five String, Vol 2, Heritage (Galax) HRC 052, Cas (1991/1984), trk# 9
Sainte-Marie, Buffy. Little Wheel Spin and Spin, Vanguard VRS 9211, LP (1966), trk# A.02
Sampson, Homer. Folksongs and Ballads, Vol 3, Augusta Heritage AHR 009, Cas (1991), trk# 1.06 [1989/12/05]
Sands, Mary. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p244/# 35A [1916/08/01] (Daemon Lover)
Seeger, Pete. Pete Seeger, Archive of Folk & Jazz FS 201, LP (Arc), trk# 1 [1953-54]
Sheehan, Lauren. Some Old Lonesome Day, Sheehan 1, CD (2001), trk# 5
Shelton, Frankland B.. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p250/# 35F [1916/07/31] (Daemon Lover)
Shelton, Mrs. Tempa. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p250/# 35G [1916/09/06] (Daemon Lover)
Shelton, Wm. Riley. Sharp & Karpeles / English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, I, Oxford, Bk (1932/1917), p248/# 35D [1916/08/29] (Daemon Lover)
Shiflett, Robert. Abrahams, Roger; & George Foss / Anglo-American Folksong Style, Prentice-Hall, Sof (1968), 2-7 [1961]
Short, Leonard. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p170/# 30I [1933/07/02]
Short, Lillian. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume I, British Ballads and Songs, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p172/# 30K [1940/03/31]
Smith, Jessie Ann Chennault. Owens, William A. (ed.) / Texas Folk Songs. 2nd edition, SMU Press, Bk (1976/1950), p 31 [1938] Sorrels, Rosalie. Folksongs of Idaho and Utah, Folkways FH 5343, LP (1961), trk# 14
Steele, Pete. Banjo Tunes and Songs, Folkways FS 3828, LP (1958), trk# 16
Stekert, Ellen. Our Singing Heritage. Vol I, Elektra EKL 151, LP (1958), trk# 8
Stevens, Leonard. Scarborough, Dorothy(ed.) / A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains, AMS, Bk (1966/1937), p153,401 [1930]
Summers, Andrew Rowan. Unquiet Grave, Folkways FA 2364/FP 64, LP (1951), trk# B.04
Sweeney's Men. Sweeney's Men, Transatlantic ESM CD 435, CD (1996), trk# 11 [1968]
Thomas, Stella. Cox, John Harrington (ed.) / Folk-Songs of the South, Dover, Sof (1967/1925), p144/# 25D [1915/10]
Toney, Mrs. Cox, John Harrington (ed.) / Folk-Songs of the South, Dover, Sof (1967/1925), p139/# 25A [1916/01/20]
Van Ronk, Dave. Dave Van Ronk, Fantasy 24710, LP (1970/1962), trk# 3.01
Vass, John Daniel. Shellans, Herbert (ed.) / Folk Songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Oak, Sof (1968), p30 [1959/03/27]
West, Hedy. Pretty Saro, Topic 12T 146, LP (1966), trk# A.01
Williams, Flora A.. Cox, John Harrington(ed.) / Traditional Ballads Mainly from West Virgini, WPA, Bk (1939), 12B [1927ca]
OTHER NAMES: "Daemon Lover," "Well Met" "House Carpenter's Wife"
RELATED TO: “False Young Man”
SOURCES: Folk Index; Traditional Ballad Index
NOTES: The Watson family (Doc Watson did not play on this) version was sung by Annie Watson (Doc's mother) accompanied on solo fiddle by Gaither Carlton (Doc's father-in-law). This haunting and truly traditional version is titled, The House Carpenter, and was recorded in 1963 on their Folkways album The Doc Watson Family which has been re-released. The date she learned this and her source are unknown. Doc remembered her singing this when he was a child so that would take it back to circa 1930 (Doc was born in 1923 and recently died).
The House Carpenter- sung by Annie Watson; accompanied on fiddle by Gaither Carlton.
"Well met, well met," said an old true love,
"Well met, well met," said he.
"I'm just returning from the salt, salt sea,
And it's all for the love of thee."
"Come in, come in, my own true love,
And have a sit with me.
It's been three-fourths of a long, long year,
Since together we have been."
"I can't come in and I can't sit down,
For I have but a moment's time.
They say you're married to a house carpenter,
And your heart will never be mine."
"I could have married the king's daughter fair,
And she would have married me.
But I have forsaken her crowns of gold,
And it's all for the love of thee."
"Now will you forsake your house carpenter,
And go along with me?
I'll take you where the grass grows green,
On the banks of Iteree." [Italy]
She picked up her little babe
And kisses gave it three.
Saying, "Stay right here, my darling little babe,
And keep your papa company."
They had not been on the ship two weeks,
I'm sure it was not three,
'Til his true love began to weep and mourn,
And she wept most bitterly.
"Are you weeping for my silver and my gold,
Are you weeping for my store?
Or are you weeping for that house carpenter,
Whose face you'll never see any more?"
"A curse, a curse," to the sailor she cried,
"A curse, a curse," she swore.
"You've robbed me of my sweet little babe,
That I never shall see no more."
They had not been on board three weeks,
I'm sure it was not four,
Until there came a leak in the ship,
And it sunk for to rise no more.
|