House Carpenter - Martin Simpson

«Well met, well met, my own true love

Well met, well met,» cried he

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

And it’s all for the love of thee

«Oh I could have married the king’s daughter dear

And she would have married me

But I have refused the crown of gold

And it’s all for the love of thee.»

«If you could have married the king’s daughter dear

I’m sure you are to blame

For I am married to the house carpenter

And he is a fine young man.»

«Oh, if you’ll forsake your house carpenter

And come along with me

I’ll take you to where the grass grows green

On the banks of Italy.»

«If I forsake my house carpenter

And come along with thee

Oh, what have you got to maintain me upon

And to keep me from slavery?»

«Oh, I’ve six ships sailing on the salt sea

A-sailing from dry land

And a hundred and twenty jolly young men

Shall be at your command.»

Oh, she picked up her poor wee babe

And kisses she gave him three

Saying, «Stay right here with the house carpenter

And keep him company.»

So she dressed herself in her gay clothing

Most glorious to behold

And as she trod the salt water’s side

Oh she shone like glittering gold

She set her foot upon the ship

No mariners could behold

The sails were of the shining silk

The masts of beaten gold

They had not been two weeks at sea

I’m sure it was not three

When this poor maid began to weep

And she wept most bitterly

«Oh do you weep for your gold,» he said

«Your houses, your land, or your store?

Or do you weep for your house carpenter

That you never shall see no more?»

«I do not weep for my gold,» she said

«My houses, my land, or my store

But I do weep for my poor wee babe

That I shall never see more.»

They had not been three weeks at sea

I’m sure it was not four

When in their ship there sprang a leak

And she sank to the ocean floor

«What hills, what hills are those, my love

That are so bright and free?»

«Oh, those are the hill of Heaven, my love

But they’re not for you and me.»

«What hills, what hills, are those, my love

That are so dark and low?»

«Oh, those are the hills of Hell, my love

Where you and I must go.»