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about

Traditional
Child ballad #243

House Carpenter

This traditional ballad (Child 243) was described by Carl Sandburg as "among the hoary and tarnished keepsakes of the ballad world." The House Carpenter has been recorded countless times by countless artists; our live recording is inspired by the singing and playing of Clarence Ashley recorded circa 1928.

Originally published as a broadside in 1657 by Laurence Price, who called it "James Harris (The Daemon Lover)" with the subtitle:

"A Warning for Married Women, being an example of Mrs Jane Reynolds (a West-country woman), born near Plymouth, who, having plighted her troth to a Seaman, was afterwards married to a Carpenter, and at last carried away by a Spirit, the manner how shall be presently recited."

Donna Stewart, vocal
Ron Andrico, banjo

lyrics

"Well met, well met, said an old true love.
Well met, well met, said he.
I have just returned from the salt, salt sea.
And it's all for the love of thee."

"Come in, come in, my own true love,
And have a seat with me.
It's been three-fourths of a long, long year,
Since together we have been. "

"I can't come in nor I can't sit down,
For I haven't but a moment's time.
They say you're married to a house carpenter,
And your heart will never be mine."

"Now it's I could have married a King's daughter, dear,
And I'm sure she'd have married me,
But I've forsaken her crowns of gold,
And it's all for the love of thee."

"Now will you forsake your house carpenter,
And go along with me?
I'll take you where the grass grows green.
By the banks of the deep blue sea."

So she picked up her own little babe,
And kisses, she gave it three.
Saying "Stay right here, my darling little babe,
And keep your papa company."

They hadn't been on ship but about two weeks,
I'm sure it was not three,
Till his own true love began to mourn,
And she wept most bitterly.

"Now it's are you weeping for your silver and your gold,
Or are you weeping for your store?
Or are you weeping for your house carpenter,
Whose face you'll never see any more?"

"No, I'm not weeping for my silver and gold,
Nor am I weeping for my store,
I am weeping for my darling little babe,
Whose face I'll never see any more."

They hadn't been on ship but about three weeks,
I'm sure it was not four,
When they sprang a leak in the bottom of the ship,
And it sank for to rise no more.

credits

from heart​-​songs, released November 4, 2020
Donna Stewart, vocals
Ron Andrico, guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals
arranged by Donna Stewart & Ron Andrico

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Eulalie image

Eulalie Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Eulalie (pronounce it "YOU-la-lee")
True blue. Guaranteed 100% irony-free.

Hauntingly stark, sweetly sentimental, or just plain fun,
these old songs tell the stories of people's lives.
Ron & Donna treat these treasures with the love and respect of honest, straightforward arrangements inspired by the old masters of parlor, dance hall, and backwoods. ... more

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