The lyrics tell the story of a woman who rejects a marriage proposal from a king's daughter to be with her true love, a house carpenter, with whom she has a child. She decides to leave her husband and child to go with her old flame on a ship, but tragedy strikes as the ship sinks, and they perish.

Meaning of "House Carpenter" by Nickel Creek

The lyrics of "House Carpenter" explore themes of love, sacrifice, and consequences. The woman's choice to abandon her comfortable life with her husband and child in pursuit of her true love represents the power of passion and desire over stability and security. However, the tragic end of the story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of following one's heart without considering the impact on others. The sinking of the ship can be seen as a metaphor for the destruction caused by selfish decisions and infidelity. Overall, the song conveys a message about the complexities of love and the importance of considering the consequences of our actions.