The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963. Shortly afterwards, Bob Dylan came to Toronto and recruited the quintet for his history-making 1965/1966 world tour. The Band also worked with Dylan on the initial Blonde on Blonde sessions which, bar two tracks, were ultimately abandoned in favour of versions recorded with Nashville session musicians.
After a motorcycle accident in mid-1966, Dylan retreated from the public eye to his country house near Woodstock, New York. He was joined by the Band for some informal jam sessions starting in the autumn of 1967, nearly all of which were recorded. After being heavily bootleged, Columbia Records finally released The Basement Tapes in 1975, a selection of the better tracks recorded during the sessions along with new recordings by The Band.
Bob Dylan and The Band were reunited in 1974, recording Planet Waves for Asylum Records, Dylan's first album recorded for a record label other than Columbia. Although the album was released under Dylan's name alone, The Band joined Dylan for his first tour in eight years in support of Planet Waves, with some of the material recorded and released on the 1975 concert record Before the Flood.
Columbia Records finally released The Bootleg Series Vol. 11: The Basement Tapes Complete in November 2014, featuring every surving recording from the original sessions in Woodstock.
If I Were a Carpenter
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
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Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
That's the way I just gotta behave,
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
Ask me how do I feel,
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
And if I were a watch,
I'd start popping my spring,
Oh, and if I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
Ask me how do I feel
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
Well, I knew my moral would crack
From the wonderful way you looked,
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
Ask me how do I feel
Now that we're fondly caressing,
And if I were a salad,
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
Or if I were a season,
I'd surely be Spring,
Yes, and if I were a bell,
Say, if I were a bell,
If I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
The lyrics to "If I Were a Carpenter" by Bob Dylan and The Band are a lighthearted expression of love. The singer is filled with joy and excitement at the prospect of spending time with their partner. They use metaphors to describe how they feel, comparing themselves to objects that are full of energy and movement. The lyrics express a sense of freedom, as the singer imagines themselves as objects that are not constrained by social expectations or norms.
The imagery in the song is playful and imaginative, with the singer using metaphors that are both unexpected and delightful. For example, when they say "if I were a watch, I'd start popping my spring", they are expressing the excitement and anticipation they feel about spending time with their partner. Similarly, when they say "if I were a bridge I'd be burning", they are expressing their willingness to take risks and be adventurous in their relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to "If I Were a Carpenter" are a celebration of love and the joy that comes with being in a relationship. They evoke a sense of playfulness and lightness, and use imaginative metaphors to express the singer's feelings of happiness and excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
Ask me how do I feel,
Inquire about my emotional state
Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Now that we're in a close, intimate relationship
Well sir, all I can say is
Well, the only thing I can say is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
I feel so happy, I'd be making noise like a bell
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
Since we shared that kiss at the end of the night
That's the way I just gotta behave,
That's just how I naturally act
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
I'd radiate light and warmth like a lamp
Or if I were a banner I'd wave!
I'd happily wave like a flag or banner
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
I was brought up with a shy, introverted personality
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
I'd be opening up and breaking down my barriers
And if I were a watch,
If I were a timepiece
I'd start popping my spring,
I'd be overflowing with energy and excitement
Oh, and if I were a bell
In addition, if I were a sound-making instrument
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I'd make a joyful noise, much like a bell
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
From this experience, I'm discovering how our personalities, emotions, and behaviors interact
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
I'd be making a bold statement or taking action that couldn't be undone
Well, I knew my moral would crack
I knew my principles would falter or be challenged
From the wonderful way you looked,
From the amazing way you appeared or presented yourself
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
I'd express my happiness by quacking like a duck
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
I'd meet my ultimate fate or doom
Now that we're fondly caressing,
Now that we're gently and lovingly touching
And if I were a salad,
If I were a combination of mixed ingredients
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
I'd be flaunting or showing off my sauce or seasoning
Or if I were a season,
Or if I represented a time period or mood
I'd surely be Spring,
I'd be associated with rebirth, rejuvenation, and new beginnings
Yes, and if I were a bell,
Certainly, if I were a sound-making instrument
Say, if I were a bell,
Imagine if I were a bell
If I were a bell
Continuing to imagine if I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I'd make a joyful and lively noise
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind