The House Carpenter- Kelter (NY) pre-1950 Ruch
[Fragment from Dave Ruch. His notes follow. Also appears as Bronson No. 17:
If you'll [sic] forsake your house carp€enter
And go along with me, [sic]
What have you got to support me on
And to keep me from slavery?
Clearly the opening stanza should be:
If I forsake my house-carpenter
And go along with you, [etc]
R. Matteson 2013]
Dave says: "Celia Kelter was 73 years old in October 1950 when she was recorded by folklorist/collector Sam Eskin. She was a lifelong resident of the town of Tabasco NY in Ulster County in the Catskills." [She was born in 1877.]
The House Carpenter (fragment)- sung by Celia Kelter, Tabasco, NY; recorded in or before 1950
If you'll forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me.
What have you got to support me on
And to keep me from slavery?
Don't you see those yonder ships,
As bright as bright can be,
I will make you the mistress of them all
If you will follow me.