The album was re-released on Smithsonian Folkways on CD in 1990 with additional tracks from the 1970s.
The House Carpenter
The Doc Watson Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Well met, well met," said he.
"I'm just returning from the salt, salt sea,
And it's all for the love of thee."
"Come in, come in, my own true love,
And have a sit with me.
It's been three-fourths of a long, long year
Since together we have been."
For I have but a moment's time.
They say you're married to a house carpenter,
And your heart will never be mine."
"I could have married the king's daughter fair,
And she would have married me.
But I have forsaken her crowns of gold,
And it's all for the love of thee."
"Now will you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me?
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the banks of Iteree."
She pickéd up her little babe
And kisses gave it three.
Saying, "Stay right here, my darling little babe,
And keep your papa company."
They had not been on the ship two weeks,
I'm sure it was not three,
'Til his true love began to weep and mourn,
And she wept most bitterly.
"Are you weeping for my silver and my gold?
Are you weeping for my store?
Or are you weeping for that house carpenter,
Whose face you'll never see any more?"
"A curse, a curse," to the sailor she cried,
"A curse, a curse," she swore.
"You've robbed me of my sweet little babe,
That I never shall see no more."
They had not been on board three weeks,
I'm sure it was not four,
Until there came a leak in the ship,
And it sunk for to rise no more.
The House Carpenter is a traditional song that tells the story of a woman who is visited by her old true love after several months. The old true love professes his love for her and tells her he has forsaken crowns of gold for the love of the woman. However, the woman is already married to a house carpenter and has a little child. The old true love requests that she leaves her family to be with him, promising to take her to the banks of Iteree where the grass grows green. The woman agrees, but before they could reach their destination, she begins to weep bitterly for her child and her husband, the house carpenter. The old true love tries to console her but fails. As fate would have it, their ship develops a leak and sinks to the bottom of the sea, taking the woman, her child and her old true love with it.
The song is a tragic tale that highlights the consequences of decisions and actions that we make with little or no consideration for loved ones. It portrays how one's moments of weakness and lack of resolve can result in far-reaching consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Well met, well met,' said an old true love,
An old true love meets the singer with excitement.
'Come in, come in, my own true love,
The singer invites the old true love inside the house.
'It's been three-fourths of a long, long year
The singer reveals that it has been many months since they last saw each other.
'I can't come in and I can't sit down,
The old true love declines the invitation to come inside.
'But I have forsaken her crowns of gold,
The artist gave up a wealthy and royal marriage for the old true love.
'Now will you forsake your house carpenter
The old true love asks the singer to leave her husband.
'Saying, 'Stay right here, my darling little babe,
The singer leaves her child behind to go with the old true love.
'Are you weeping for my silver and my gold?
The old true love asks why the artist is crying.
'They had not been on board three weeks,
Shortly after leaving, the ship begins to have problems.
'Until there came a leak in the ship,
The ship starts to sink due to the damage caused by the leak.
Contributed by Elena E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Squidocto
There are so many versions of this song out there. None are as raw and heartbreaking as this. Sigh.
Hendrik Dacquin
There's nothing more I miss during the padamic than Live music but this recording makes things right. Thanks! <3
pezdrake
I am so glad we have the Smithsonian to save and preserve these songs and stories.
Simon Watson
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
blueridger28
Thank god for you guys. Ive grew up in the blue ridge I love this thank you thank you.
Smithsonian Folkways
Thank you! That is what we are here for! We appreciate your feedback and your comments.
Benjamin Latta
My favourite version of this song.
Brian Wilson
As a kid i doubt i'd have appreciated this, or the Doc Watson family in general.But boy, do i love this kind of music now.Its raw and emotional on a primal level.I'd like my nieces and nephews to listen to it, but it will be a waste of time.Hopefully they'll come to this and stuff like it when they've had a few hard knocks and some life experience.What ive found is that a song doesnt have to be sung by a great singer to have real emotional resonance.There is real beauty in somebody singing just for the love of it.
Do you like My Haircut
13k+ views and zero dislikes, gives me hope for music 10,000/10
Watson Family
+Ian Hartman Stover look yes