House Carpenter Songtext
von Clarence Ashley

"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 old true love
And have a seat with me
It′s been three-fourths of a long, long year
Since together we have been"

"Well, I can't come in or I can't sit down
For I haven′t but a moment′s time
They say you're married to a house carpenter
And your heart will never be mine"

"Now it′s I could have married the king's daughter dear
I′m sure she'd have married me
But I′ve forsaken her crowns of gold
And it's all for the love of thee"


"Now will you forsaken your house carpenter
And go along with me?
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the banks of the deep blue sea"

She picked up her little babe
And kisses gave it three
Said, "Stay right here, my darling little babe
And keep your papa company"

Well, they hadn′t been on ship but about two weeks
I′m sure it was not three
Till his true love began to weep and mourn
And he weeped most bitterly

Says, "Are you a-weeping for my silver or my gold?
Says, are you a-weeping for my store?
Are you weeping for that house carpenter
Whose face you'll never see anymore?"

"No, it′s I'm not a-weeping for your silver or your gold
Or neither for your store
I am weeping for my darling little babe
Whose face I′ll never see anymore"


Well, they hadn't been on ship but about three weeks
I′m sure it was not four
Till it sprung a leak in the bottom of the ship
And it sunk for to rise no more