The House Carpenter

The House Carpenter

Folk songs

This is a hand-transcribed version of the folk song, "The House Carpenter." A note on the reverse credits this version to Aunt Lou Brookshire.

Bobby McMillon

Bobby McMillon Collection, Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University

Southern Appalachian Archives, Liston B. Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies, Mars Hill University

Aunt Lou Brookshire

This item may be viewed, downloaded, and printed for personal and educational use, but any commercial use is prohibited without permission from the Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University. Questions may be directed to the Archivist at (828) 689-1262 or archives@mhu.edu.

English

The House Carpenter

We've met we've met my old true love
We've met we've met he replied
I've just returned from the salt salt sea
And it's all for the love of thee.

I could have married a Kings daughter
And she would have married me
But I refused the crown or gold
And its all for the love of thee.

If you could a married a Kings daughter
I'm sure you are to blame
For I am married to a house carpenter
And I think he's a fine young man.

Will you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the banks of sweet Relief.

If I forsake my house carpenter
And go along with you
What have you to maintain me on
That would keep me from slavery.

[verso]:
Aunt Lou Brookshire

I have seven ships on the ocean wide
All a sailing for dry land
Three hundred and fifty jolly young men
They're all at your command.

She picked up her sweet little babe
And kisses she gave it three
Saying stay at home with your papa dear
And keep him company.

They had not been on the ship two weeks
I'm sure it was not three
Till she lamented in her lovers arms
And she cried most bitterly.

They had not been on ship three weeks
I'm sure it was not four
Till they sprang a leak in the lovers boat
And it sank for to rise no more.

Handwritten text on pages 9 and 10 of small red ledger.