House Carpenter

Well met, well met, my own true love

Well met, well met"", cried he

""I've just returned from the salt, salt sea

All for the love of thee""

""I could have married the King's daughter, dear

She would have married me

But I have forsaken her crowns of gold

All for the love of thee""

""Well, if you could have married the King's daughter, dear

I'm sure you are to blame

For I am married to a house carpenter

And find him a nice young man""

""Oh, will you forsake your house carpenter

And go along with me?

I'll take you to where the grass grows green

To the banks of the salt, salt sea""

""Well, if I should forsake my house carpenter

And go along with thee

What have you got to maintain me on

And keep me from poverty?""

""Six ships, six ships all out on the sea

Seven more upon dry land

One hundred and ten all brave sailor men

Will be at your command""

She picked up her own wee babe

Kisses gave him three

Said, ""Stay right here with my house carpenter

Keep him good company""

Well, they'd not been gone but about two weeks

I know it was not three

When this fair lady began to weep

She wept most bitterly