House Carpenter - Sweeney's Men

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

O 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 sake 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

If you’ll forsake your house carpenter

And come away with me

I’ll take you to where the grass grows green

On the banks of the sweet Willie

If I forsake my house carpenter

And come away with thee

What have you got to maintain me upon

And keep me from slavery

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

A-sailing from dry land

And a hundred and twenty jolly young men

Shall be at thy command

She picked up her poor wee babe

And kisses gave him three

Saying stay right here with the house carpenter

And keep him good company

They had not been at sea two weeks

I’m sure it was not three

When this poor maid began to weep

And she wept most bitterly

O 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 anymore

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 never shall see anymore

They had not been at sea three weeks

I’m sure it was not four

When in their ship there sprang a leak

And she sank to rise no more

What hills, what hills are those, my love

That are so bright and free

Those are the hill of Heaven, my love

But not for you and me

What hills, what hills, are those, my love

That are so dark and low

Those are the hills of Hell, my love

Where you and I must go