Buffy Sainte Marie - "House Carpenter"

"Well met, well met," said an old true love
"Well met, well met," said he
"I have just returned 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 seat with me
For It's been three-fourths of a long long year
Since together we have been

"I'll not come in! And i'll not sit down!"
"I haven't but a moment's time"
"But i hear you're married to a house carpenter"
"And you're love will never be mine"
"And i could have married a king's daughter there!"
"So free, she was with me"
"But i forshook all the crowns and gold"
"And it's all for the love of thee..."

Well, if you could have married
I'm sure you are to blame
And i have married with a house carpenter
"And i'm sure he's a fine young man"

"Well will you forsake your house carpenter "
"And come away with me"
"I'll take you down where the grass grows green"
"Down down by the sweet country"

Then she picked up a darlin' little babe
And kisses, she gave it three
Saying, "Stay right here, my own little dear,
And keep your father company"

Now they hadn't been on ship
But a boat two weeks
I'm sure it was not free
When she espied his clothin foot
And began to weep most bitterly

"Are you weepin for your house, your land
Or are you weepin for your store
Or are you weepin' for your house carpenter
Whose face you'll never see anymore?"

I am not weepin for my house and land
And i am not weepin for my store
And this time i'm weepin for my soul, soul dear
For whose purity i'll never see no more

Now they hadn't been on ship but about three weeks
I'm sure it was not more
When he stomped his foot
And down she sank
And sank to rise no more

"Well met, well met, my old true love"
"Well met, well met," cried he
"And i've just returned to the salt salt sea"
"And it's all for the love of thee"

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Buffy
• Sainte
• Marie
• Moonshot
• album
• songs
• House
• Carpenter
• Native
• American
• Music
• Canadian
• Singer

[bluesy51]

i first heard this song in 1968, I had a history teacher that played this album . The way she does this songs still sends chills down my back.

[edward323753]

@SigugudPui she didn't write this...its so classical i have yet to find its author...she merely has good taste.

[Oswuari]

I think it's "cloven" foot. He's supposed to represent the Devil.

[okelydokely2]

Great tune, and nice version. If you get a chance, give Daithi Sproule's arrangement a listen. I think it's on a disc called "Heart Made of Glass."

[kelsiwelsey]

just fyi it's a cover of an english folk song.

[SigugudPui]

Incredible. There is nobody like Buffy. Her voice, songwriting skills and intricate yet savage guitar playing puts her in league by herself. I love this song. Thanks for posting.

-Al