House Carpenter- Zimmerman (IO) pre1936 Stout A
[From: Folklore from Iowa, collected and edited by Earl J. Stout; 1936.
R. Matteson 2016]
A. House Carpenter- Sung by Mrs. Joe Zimmerman; Corydon, Iowa, as learned from her mother, pre1936.
1. "Well met, well met, my own true love,
Well met, well met," cried he.
"I've just returned from the salty salty sea
And it's all for the sake of thee."
2. "I could have been married a King's daughter[1],
Far-a[2] she would of have married me
But I refused all crown of her grace [3]
And it's all for the sake of thee."
3. "If you could have been married a king's daughter fair
Much better it would have been;
For I am married to a house carpenter
And I think him a wise young man."
4. "Could you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me?
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the bank of the sweet Wilkee."
5 "If I forsake my house carpenter
And go along with thee
What have you got to mountain[4] me on
And keep me from shrivering[5]?"
6 "I have seven ships on the salty sea,
All steering for dry land;
One hundred and ten bold jolly shipmen
Shall be at your command."
7 She drew her babe into her arms
And kisses gave it three
Saying, "Stay at home my darling little babe
And keep your father company."
8 They had not sailed on the salty sea,
Three weeks, I'm sure not four,
'Til this fair maid began to weep,
And she wept still more and more.
9 They had no sailed upon the salty sea,
Three, months, I'm sure it was not four,
'Til this grand vessel sprang a leak,
And she sank to rise no more.
1 "fair" is missing- see next stanza.
2. For-a (the a should be omitted)
3 crown of gold
4. maintain
5. slavery