The House Carpenter

Lyrics

The House Carpenter

This traditional song from Devon was collected by Sabine Baring – Gould and can also be found in the collection of Child ballads.

I once could have married an house carpenter
And she would have married me
I refused to wear the golden crown
All on account of you

If you didn’t marry the kings daughter
Then it’s you who are to blame
For I am married to an house carpenter
And a fine young man is he

Oh will you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me
I’ll take you where the grass grows green
Along the banks of the Dee

What have you got to maintain me upon
To keep me from slavery
Why I have seven ships they’ll soon be at land
Then yours shall be there command

She picked up her sweet little babe
Gave him kisses one, two, three
Said stay, stay at home my darling little babe
Keep your dear father good company

Then she went and dressed all in her very best
All in her very best, like a high born lady looked she
She shimmered and shimmered as she proudly walked
Along the banks of the Dee

They hadn’t been sailing but a few short days
About two or three maybe four
When this pretty maid she began to weep
Her weeping went on for ever more

Oh are you weeping for your house carpenter
Or are you weeping for your store
No I’m weeping for my babe, my sweet little babe
Whom I will see no more

They hadn’t been sailing about three weeks
I’m sure it was not four
The ship hit a rock and to the bottom of the sea
Sank to rise no more

See the bright light of heaven my dear
See the angels come and go
Now see the burning coals of hell my dear
That’s where you you and I must go

I once could have married a kings daughter
And she would have married me

David Jacob – Fiddle
Paul Hayes – all other instruments and vocals