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 noisy old 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 bank of the river deep."

"But will you have to maintain me a bound

To keep me at 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

Said, "Stay at home you darling 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 sor'

"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 tell my dear

Where you and I must go."

"Well I wish 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."