Hi folkd- maybe I missed t in this verey interesting discussion, but I did not see this version that appears in Barry / Eckstorm / Smyth's Bristish Ballads from Maine volume 1

The House Carpenter
Lyrics-Capt. Lewis F. Gott, Bernard ME, 1926
Eckstorm Collection
Tune-Susie Carr Young, Brewer ME 1928
Barry Collection
Transcription © 2019 Julia Lane

Smyth and Eckstorm received a copy of this song written down in 1926 by Capt. Lewis F. Gott of Bernard, ME "as sung by him for many years." These lyrics appear in "British Ballads from Maine, Volume 1". A tune was later noted by Susie Carr Young of Brewer who says it was "traditional in her family". She also included 4 verses

"I might have married a king's daughter fair,
And she would have married me;
But I've just returned from the salt, salt sea
All for the sake of thee,
All for the sake of thee."

"If you could have married a king's daughter,
I am sure you are much to blame;
For I have wed with a house carpenter,
And Johnnie it is his name,
And Johnnie it is his name."

"If you'll go leave your house carpenter,
And go along with me,
I'll take you where the trees grow tall
On the isle of sweet liberty,
On the isle of sweet liberty"

"If I go and leave my house carpenter,
And go along with thee,
What means have you provided for me '
To keep me from slavery,
To keep me from slavery?"

"Oh, don't you see that good light ship
A-standing in to land,
With a hundred and fifty brave young men
Shall be at your command,
Shall be at your command!"

She took her babe upon her knee,
And she gave him kisses three,
Saying, "Stay at home with your father dear,
For to hear him company,
For to hear him company".

They had not sailed more than two weeks,
I am sure it was not three,
When this cruel mother began to weep, _
And to weep most bitterly,
And to weep most bitterly.

"Oh, do you weep for your house carpenter,
Or the dangers of the sea?
Or do you weep for that sweet little babe
That you left when you came with me,
That you left when you came with me."

"I don't weep for my house carpenter,
Nor the dangers of the sea,
But I do weep for the sweet little babe
That I left when I came with thee,
That I left when I came with thee."

They had not sailed more than three weeks,
I am sure it was not four,
When this good ship sprung a leak
And she sank to rise no more
And she sank to rise no more

Come all you mothers far and near,
Take warning now by me,
And never sell your babe for gold,
Lest you sink in the salt, salt sea.
Lest you sink in the salt, salt sea.