"Wave (sic) on the Sea" is a tradional English ballad based on The Mermaid (Child 289). The Carters version of the ballad is not a good one.

The song has been traced back to 1765 and different titles are:
"The Mermaid," "The Wrecked Ship" "Black Friday" "Waves on the Sea" "Three Sailor Boys" "The Sinking Ship"

RECORDINGS:
Emma Dusenberry, "The Mermaid" (AFS, 1936; on LC58) {Bronson's #40}
William Howell, "The Mermaid" (on FSBBAL2)
Bascom Lamar Lunsford, "The Mermaid Song" (on BLLunsford01) {cf. Bronson's #32}
New Lost City Ramblers, "Raging Sea" (on NLCR02)
Ernest Stoneman & His Blue Ridge Corn Shuckers, "The Raging Sea, How It Roars" (Victor Vi 21648, 1928)

WAVE ON THE SEA- Carter Family 1941

Oh, the waves on the sea, how they roll
And the chilly winds, how they do blow;
My own true love got drowned in the deep
And the ship never got to the shore.

Oh the first on the deck was the porter of the ship
And a rough-looking fellow was he;
Says, "I care no more for my wife and my child
Than I do for the fish in the sea."

Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving
Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving
Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving after me
For I never expect to see her any more.