The House Carpenter

We've met, we've met, my old true love

We've met, we've met, said he

I've just returned from the salt, salt sea

And it's all for the love of thee

I could have married the King's daughter fair

She would have married me

But I've forsaken her crown of gold

And it's all for the love of thee

Come in, come in, my old true love

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 in, nor 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?

Oh 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 it three

Sayin', 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

They rode until they came to the banks of a sea

Three hours before the break of day

They had not been on the ship two weeks

I'm sure it was not three

Until his true love began to weep and to mourn

And she wept most bitterly

Oh, is it for my silver you weep?

Is it for my store?

Or is it for that house carpenter

Whose face you'll never see no more?

It's neither for you silver I weep

And neither for your store

But it's all for the sake of my sweet little babe

Whose 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

Whose face I'll never see no more

They had not been on the ship three weeks

I'm sure it was not four

Till they sprang a leak in the bottom of the ship

And it sunk for to rise no more