The Little Carpenter (3:26)

The Little Carpenter (transcribed from Blind James Howard recording by Alan & Elizabeth Lomax, Harlan, KY 1937 for Library of Congress) Traditional, arranged by Molsky’s Mountain Drifters Publishing & PRO Dielectric Music / ASCAP

I’ll tell you a new song that’s lately been made,
It’s of a little carpenter, he courted a fair maid,
He courted her, he courted her, he loved her as his life,
Oftimes he’s asked her if she would be his wife.

And on came an old man, he came from Noah’s Ark,
A long ways a-traveling, a-courting in the dark,
I can’t fancy you, old man, you look too old and grim,
Oh, my little carpenter, oh what’s become of him?

And on come the blacksmith, it was the other day,
He gave to me his handkerchief, or so the people say,
He gave to me his gold ring, to talk with him again,
Oh, my little carpenter, oh what’s become of him?

On came a young man, he came from Scarlet town,
With gold chains and finger rings, he threw them on the ground,
I can fancy you, young man, you look so neat and trim,
Oh my little carpenter, but what’s become of him?

And on came the carpenter, he come so neat and slow,
All the money that he makes, he brings to me to show,
He heave with his broad axe all day, and sits with me at night.
Oh my little carpenter, my true heart’s delight.