American Old Time Song Lyrics: 07 The House Carpenter

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 7

THE HOUSE CARPENTER

"Well met, well met, my own true love,
Well met, well met," cried he;
"For I've just returned from the salt sea,
All for the love of thee."

"I might have married the King's daughter," dear;
'You might have married her." cried she,
"For I am married to a house carpenter,
And a fine young man is be."

"If you will forsake your house carpenter,
And go along with me,
I will take you where the grass grows high,
On the banks of old Tennesee."

"If I forsake my house carpenter,
And go along with thee,
What have you got to keep me upon,
And keep me from misery? "

Says be, " I have got six ships at sea,
All sailing to dry land,
One hundred and ten of your own countrymen,
Love, they shall be at your command."

She took her babe upon her knee,
And kissed one, two, or three,
Saying: " Stay at home, my darling, sweet babe,
And keep your father's company."

They had not sailed four weeks or more,
Four weeks, or scarcely three,
When she thought of her darling sweet babe at home,
And she wept most bitterly.

Says he " Are you weeping for gold, my love.
Or are you weeping for fear,
Or are you weeping for your house carpenter.
That you left and followed me? "

"I am not weeping for gold," she replied,
"Nor am I weeping for fear,
But I am weeping alone for my sweet little babe
That I've left with my house carpenter."

"Oh, dry up your tears, my own true love.
And cease your weeping, cried he;
"For soon you will see your own happy home.
On the banks of old Tennessee."

They bad not sailed five weeks or more,
Five weeks or scarcely four.
When the ship struck a rock and sprung a-leak,
And they were never seen any more.

A curse be on the sea-faring men,

Oh, cursed be their lives,
For while they are robbing the house carpenter,
And coaxing away their wives.