The House Carpenter- Summer (OH) pre1939 Eddy C
[From: Eddy's Ballads and Songs from Ohio, 1939. All of Eddy's versions are based on the Child B and broadsides from the 1800s.
R. Matteson 2013]
C. The House Carpenter- From Mrs. Galen W. Summer of Canton (OH) pre1939 Eddy C
1 "We have met, well have met, my pretty fair maid,
We have met, my love," said he;
"For I have just returned from the salty, salty sea;
Ans it's all for the love of thee."
2. "You could have married a rich king's daughter,
And a handsome one was she;
But I am married to a house carpenter,
And a handsome man is he."
3. "If you will forsake your house carpenter'
And go along with me,
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the banks of sweet liberty."
4. "If I forsake my house carpenter,
And go along with thee,
What have you got to maintain me upon,
Or to keep me from poverty?"
5. "Oh, don't you see those seven, seven ships,
All sailing for dry land,
Five hundred and ten brave and jolly men
Shall be at your command."
6. She called aloud to her sweet and pretty babe,
She gave it kisses three,
Saying, "Stay at home, my sweet and pretty babe,
Keep your father's company."
7. He dressed her up in rich array,
Most beautiful to behold,
And as she walked the city streets,
She shone bright as the glittering gold.
8. They had nor been aboard two weeks,
'Twas neither two nor three,
Until this fair lady began to weep,
And she wept most bitterly.
9. "Oh, is it for my gold you weep,
Or is it for my fee,
Or is it for the house carpenter
That you left across the sea?"
10. "It's neither for your gold I weep,
Nor is it for your fee,
But alas, it is for that sweet and pretty babe
I left to mourn for me."
11. They had not been aboard two weeks,
It was neither two nor four,
Until under deck there sprang a leak,
And her mourning was heard no more.