Well, I'm 2 years late in replying, but here are some responses to those who had things to add to the original posting.

Overall, I think "no need for poverty" a) makes the most sense, and b) is closest to whatever the hell Justice sang, so I'll give this line (instead of "a door of ivory" which I've been singing for 4 years now) a try.

Al: I have no idea whether you still visit the Mudcat, but I really like the "explanatory" stanza you wrote ("Your secret will not keep." is a great twist off of Justice's line.) Here's the version I sing now (with various changes all throughout and my own added stanza.)

Henry Lee

"Come down, come down my Henry Lee and stay all night with me.
The very best lodging you can afford would be far worse than me."
"I can't come down. No, I won't come down and stay all night with thee.
For the girl I have in that merry, green land I love her better than thee."

She leaned herself against the fence just for a kiss or two
And with a knife ground keen and sharp she stabbed him through and through.
She bent her lips down to his ear and unto him she spake
Saying "The diamond ring you gave to me I never will forsake."

When Henry's blood had drained away she took him by his feet.
And threw him in a deep, deep well more than one hundred feet.
"Lie there, lie there, my Henry Lee 'til the flesh rots from your bones.
The girl you have in that merry, green land she waits for your return."

There was a pretty parrot bird perched high upon a tree
And with an eye both keen and sharp saw the murder of Henry Lee
He called down to the lady fair from high upon his limb
Saying "You did murder poor Henry Lee and in a well did throw him in."

"Fly down, fly down you little bird and alight on my right knee.
Your cage will be of purest gold, no need for poverty."
"I can't come down, no I won't come down and alight on your right knee.
A girl who would murder her own true love would kill a little bird like me."

"If I had my bended bow, my arrow and my string
I'd pierce a dart so nigh your heart your warble would be in vain."
"If you had your bended bow, your arrow and your string
I'd flown away 'ere I spoke to you to tell what I have seen."

My other comment was to Jerry: I'm glad to hear that you've not heard too many others perform this song (although since your post, I've seen Ralph Stanley do it on Austin City Limits.) I was afraid when I first learned it that because it was on Harry Smith's Anthology - and at that, the 1st song - people would think it was too much of a chestnut. Happy to know it seems a little exotic to some. It's been a standard for me ever since I wrote this original post four years ago.

Cheers,
Bryant