The House Carpenter- Fields (IN) 1954 List
[From: Singing About It: folk song in southern Indiana by George List, Indiana University, Bloomington. Archives of Traditional Music; Indiana Historical Society, 1991.
R. Matteson 2016]
The House Carpenter - sung by Albert Jeremiah Fields of Bedford, IN on August 7, 1954
1. It was late when I crossed the salt, salt sea,
And 'twas all for the love of thee.
For I could have married the King's daughter dear
And she would have married me,
But the color of her gold I did refuse
and twas all for the love of thee."
2 If you could have married the King's daughter dear
I'm sure you are to blame
For I have married a house carpenter
And I'm sure he's a fine young man
For I have married a house carpenter
And I'm sure he's a fine young man.
3. If you leave your house carpenter
And go along with me
I'll set you down on yon green grass,
On the banks of sweet Lily.
I'll set you down on yon green grass,
On the banks of sweet Lily.
4. If I should leave my house carpenter,
And go along with thee.
What have you got to support me on
And keep me from slav'ry?" (etc.)
5. "I have seven ships on shore
And seven more at sea,
One hundred and ten all fine young men
All ready for to wait on thee. " (etc.)
6. She dressed herself in scarlet red
And no one looked so gay.
She shined like a glittering star of the West
And no one else so gay. (etc.)
7. She picked up her little babe
And gave it kisses three
Saying, Lie here, lie here my dearest little babe
In your father's company
8. She hadn't been gone more
9 Is is my gold that makes you weep
Or is it my store?
Or is it for that house carp
That you left on yonder shore