The House Carpenter- Nelms (OK) pre1964 Moores
[From: Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest. This version is probably pre-1900 but the Moores say, "Nelms was born in Texas and moved to Oklahoma on Aprill 22, 1889" giving no indication where or when he learned this ballad.
R. Matteson 2013]
The House Carpenter- R. L. Nelms (Norman, OK) No date given, pre1964 Moores
"Well met, well met, my own true love,
Well met, well met," cried he--
"I have come from the rolling salty sea,
And it's all for the sake of thee,
And it's all for the sake of thee."
"I could have married a king's daughter fair,
I am sure that she would have had me;
But I've forsaken a crown of gold,
And it's all for the sake of thee,
And it's all for the sake of thee.
"If you could have married a king's daughter fair,
I am sure it would have been a wise plan;
For I have married a house carpenter,
And I think he's a nice young man,
And I think he's a nice young man.
"If you'll forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me,
I'll take you where the grass grows green,
On the banks of the sweet river Dee,
On the banks of the sweet river Dee."
"What have you there to maintain me on,
What have you there?" cried she.
"Oh, I've four and twenty jolly sailor boys,
And they're all for to wait on thee,
And they're all for to wait on thee."
She picked up her dear little babe
And gave it kisses three.
Saying: "Stay at home, you sweet little one,
Keep your Papa good company-ee,
Keep Your Papa good company."
They had been sailing more than two weeks,
I'm sure it was not three,
Till this young damsel grew very sad,
And she wept most bitterly-ee
And she wept most bitterly.
"Oh, is it gold that you weep for,
Or is it for being on sea?
Or is it for the dear little babe
That you left when you came with me?"
"It is not gold that I weep for,
Nor is it for being on sea;
But it is for the house carpenter
That I left when I came with thee."
He bade the sailors turn the ship about,
That he might put her on shore;
But the ship struck a rock and sank in mid-sea,
And the mourner was heard no more,
And the mourner was heard no more.