The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Well met, well met said an old true love
Well met, well met said he
I've just returned from the salt, salt sea
And it's all for the love of thee
Come in, come in, my old true love
And have a seat by me
It's been three-fourths of a long, long year
Since together we have been
I can't come in and I can't sit down
For I've only a moments time
They say you're married to a house carpenter
And your heart will never be mine
I could have married the kings 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 the deep blue sea
Then she picked up her darling little babe
And kisses she gave it three
Saying stay right here, my darling little babe
And keep your papa company
They had not been on the ship 2 weeks
I'm sure it was not three
When the old true love began to weep and to mourn
And she wept most bitterly
Saying are you weeping for my silver and my gold
Saying are you weeping for my store
Or are you weeping for your house carpenter
Whose face you'll never see no more
A curse, a curse to the sailor she cried
A curse, a curse she swore
You robbed me of my darling little babe
That I shall never see no more
They had not been on the ship three weeks
I'm sure it was not four
When there came a leak on the bottom of the ship
And sank them for to rise no more
Well met, well met said he
I've just returned from the salt, salt sea
And it's all for the love of thee
Come in, come in, my old true love
And have a seat by me
It's been three-fourths of a long, long year
Since together we have been
I can't come in and I can't sit down
For I've only a moments time
They say you're married to a house carpenter
And your heart will never be mine
I could have married the kings 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 the deep blue sea
Then she picked up her darling little babe
And kisses she gave it three
Saying stay right here, my darling little babe
And keep your papa company
They had not been on the ship 2 weeks
I'm sure it was not three
When the old true love began to weep and to mourn
And she wept most bitterly
Saying are you weeping for my silver and my gold
Saying are you weeping for my store
Or are you weeping for your house carpenter
Whose face you'll never see no more
A curse, a curse to the sailor she cried
A curse, a curse she swore
You robbed me of my darling little babe
That I shall never see no more
They had not been on the ship three weeks
I'm sure it was not four
When there came a leak on the bottom of the ship
And sank them for to rise no more
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