House Carpenter- Downing (AZ) 1948 Eskin; Bronson 41
[From: LC/AAFS, rec. No. 11,715(B29) as transcribed by Bronson in TTCB, III, 1966; No. 41.
Singer Sam Eskin (1898-1994) was born in Washington, DC. He traveled the US extensively and in the 1930s began making field recordings.
R. Matteson 2013]
"House Carpenter"- Sung by Myrtle Downing, Somerton, Ariz., December 10, 1948. Collected by Sam Eskin. mode M/D Bronson comments: The intonation was very uncertain.
Will you forsake your house carpenter
And come along with me?
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the banks of some rolling sea.
How can I forsake my house carpenter
And go along with thee?
What have you got to support me on
To keep me from slavery?
She caught up her sweet little babe,
She kissed him one two or three,
Saying, Stay at home with your papa dear,
And keep him company.