House Carpenter

Well, I once could have married the king's third son

And a fine, young man was he

But now I'm married to a house carpenter

And a nice, young man is he

But will you forsake your house carpenter?

And a-go along with a-me?

I will take you to where the grass grows green

On the banks of the River Dee

But will you have to maintain me a-bound?

To keep me in slavery?

Well, I have seven ships, they will soon be at land

And they at your command shall be

She took her two babes by the hand

And gave them kisses three

Sit still at home, you darlin', little babes

Keep your father sweet company

Now she dressed herself in her very best

Like a high-born lady was she

She shivered and she shimmered and she proudly stepped

As they walked by the banks of the sea

Well, she hadn't been gone, but a short, short time

Until she wept for sore

I would give all the gold in this round world

Just to see my babes once more

Well, if you had all the gold and the silver too

That ever did cross the sea

You never would be at land anymore

And your babes you will never more see

Well, they hadn't been sailing, but a short, short time

About two weeks, three or four

When the ship sprang a leak and they were doomed

And they were far away from the shore

I see bright hills of Heaven, my dear

Where angels come and go

I see bright hills, that's Hell, my dear

Where you and I must go

Oh, I wish that I was back to my house carpenter

I'm sure he would treat me well

But here I am in the raging sea

And my soul is bound for hell