The House Carpenter- Marshall (TX) 1932 Major; Dobie A, Bronson 115.
[From Bronson TTCB III, 1966 no. 115 as taken from Major, PTFLS, X (1932), p. 179 also Dobie A, 1932 pg. 168-169.
R. Matteson 2013]
"The House-Carpenter"- Sung by Mrs. J. C. Marshall, Quanah, Tex. p I/Ly
1. "We've met, we've met, my own true love,
We've met, we've met," said he;
"I've just returned from the salt, salt sea,
And it's all for the love of thee."
Chorus: "And it's all for the love of thee."
2. "Once I could have married a king's daughter fair,
I'm sure she'd have married me;
But I've forsaken the richest crowns of gold,
And it's all for the love of thee."
3. "If you could have married a king's daughter fair,
I'm sure you're much to blame,
For I have married a house carpenter,
And I think he's a fine young man."
4. "If you'll forsake your house-carpenter,
And go along with me,
I'll carry you down where the grass grows green,
On the banks of the sweet Willee."
5. "If I forsake my house-carpenter,
And go along with thee,
What have you there to maintain me on,
And keep me from slavery?"
6. "Seven fine ships are sailing on the sea,
A-sailing for dry land,
Five hundred and ten brave jolly seamen,
And they're all at your command."
7. She dressed her babe both neat and nice,
And gave it kisses three;
"Lie there, lie there, you sweet little babe,
And keep your pa's company."
8. She dressed herself in ladies' array,
To go with the sailor bold;
And as she walked along the streets,
She shone like glittering gold.
9. They had not been on board more than three weeks,
I'm sure it was not three,
Till this fair lady sat down to weep,
And she wept most bitterly.
10. "What are you weeping for, my love,
Are you weeping for my store?
Are you weeping for your house carpenter,
Thai you never shall see any more?"
11. "I'm not weeping for my house-carpenter;
I'm not weeping for your store,
I am weeping for my sweet little babe,
That I never shall see any more."
12. They had not been on board more than four weeks,
I'm sure it was not four;
When this fair lady threw herself overboard,
And she sank to rise no more.
13. "A curse, a curse to all seamen,
A curse, a curse," said she.
"You've robbed me of my sweet little babe,
You've stole my life away."