The House Carpenter

(arranged by Doc Watson)

 

 

We’ve met we’ve met, my old true love.  We’ve met we’ve met, cried he.

I’ve just returned from the salt, salt sea and its all for the love of thee.

 

I could have married the King’s daughter there.  She would have married me.

But I’ve forsaken her crown of gold and its all for the love of thee.

 

Come in come in, my old true love.  Come in come in, she said to him.

For it’s been three fourths of a long, long year since together we have been.

 

No, I can’t come, no I can’t sit down.  For I have but a moment’s time.

And they say that you’re married to a house carpenter and your heart will never be mine.

 

Will you come with me, my old true love?  Will you come with me said he?

And I’ll take you to where the grass grows green on the banks of Bittery.

 

Then she picked up her sweet little babe.  And kisses she gave him three.

Saying, stay at home my darlin’ little babe and keep your papa company.

 

Then he jumped on a milk white steppe and her on a dapple grey.

And they rode until they came to the banks of the sea, three hours before the break of day.

 

They had not been on the ship two weeks.  I’m sure it was not three.

Then his true love began to weep and to mourn and she wept most bitterly.

 

Oh is it for my silver you weep?  Or is it for my store?

Or is it for that house carpenter, who’s face you’ll never see no more?

 

It’s neither for you silver I weep.  It’s neither for your store.

It’s all for the sake of my darlin’ little babe who’s face I’ll never see no more.

 

Then a curse, a curse to the sailor she cried.  A curse, a curse, she swore.

You’ve robbed me of my house carpenter who’s face I’ll never see no more.

 

They had not been on the ship three weeks.  I’m sure it was not four.

When they sprang a leak in the bottom of the ship and sunk for to rise no more.

 

 

Note* The chord progression on first refrain is: Dm C Am C Dm. The chord progression on the second refrain is: Dm C Dm C Dm C Am C Dm.