It was a Top Ten hit for Bobby Darin in 1966, reaching number 8 in the US (Darin returned the favour three years later, when he wrote "Simple Song of Freedom" for Hardin, which went top ten in the US that year).
If I Were a Carpenter
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you were a lady
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?
If a tinker were my trade
Would you still find me
Carryin' the pots I madeFollowin' behind me?
Save my love through loneliness
Save my love for sorrow
I'm given you my oneliness
Come give your tomorrow
If I were a miller
At a mill wheel grinding
Would you miss your color box
And your soft shoe shining?
If I worked my hands in wood
Would you still love me?
Answer me babe, yes I would
I'll put you above me
If I were a carpenter
And you were a lady
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?
Would you marry anyway?
Would you have my baby?
The song "If I Were a Carpenter" by Bobby Darin was originally written and composed by Tim Hardin in 1966, and has since been covered by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash and Joan Baez. The song is essentially a love ballad, exploring the question of whether or not conditional love exists, and ultimately concluding that it does not.
The song's first verse introduces the hypothetical scenario of the singer being a carpenter and the subject of the song being a lady. The singer asks whether the woman would still marry him and have his child, regardless of his profession. In the second verse, the singer asks whether the woman would still love him if he were a tinker, or even a miller, continuing to claim that he would love her unconditionally regardless of his occupation.
The chorus serves as a plea from the singer to the woman, asking her to save her love for him through loneliness and sorrow, and in return, he will give her his own loneliness and a promise of a future together. The final verse concludes with the same question as the first, ultimately emphasizing the theme of unconditional love.
Overall, the song's lyrics speak to the idea of true love being about the person and the connection, rather than materialistic or occupational status. The song highlights the power of love to overcome any societal barriers and expresses a desire for a deep and meaningful connection with another person.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were a carpenter
If I had a talent for building things with wood
And you were a lady
And if you were a woman
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you still want to marry me despite my profession?
Would you have my baby?
Would you want to have a child with me?
If a tinker were my trade
If tinkering with things was my job
Would you still find me
Would you still be attracted to me
Carryin' the pots I made
While carrying the pots and pans that I've fixed
Followin' behind me?
Would you follow me around even though I'm not a carpenter?
Save my love through loneliness
Preserve our love during times when we're apart
Save my love for sorrow
Keep our love strong during times of sadness
I'm given you my oneliness
I'm sharing my loneliness with you
Come give your tomorrow
Come share your future with me
If I were a miller
If I were someone who operated a mill
At a mill wheel grinding
And I were grinding at the mill wheel
Would you miss your color box
Would you still be interested in your colorful possessions
And your soft shoe shining?
And your shoes that look nice?
If I worked my hands in wood
If I was someone who worked with wood
Would you still love me?
Would you still love me even if I wasn't a carpenter
Answer me babe, yes I would
Tell me honestly, would you still love me?
I'll put you above me
I'll prioritize you above everyone else
If I were a carpenter
If I was a carpenter
And you were a lady
And you were a woman
Would you marry me anyway?
Despite my profession, would you still want to be with me?
Would you have my baby?
Would you be willing to start a family with me?
Would you marry anyway?
Would you still want to marry me?
Would you have my baby?
Would you want to have a child with me?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tim Hardin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lastrada52
The original "cover" (it may not be considered a cover since Bobby Darin released the song (1966), and had a top 10 hit with this -- even before Tim Hardin -- the songwriter -- included his recorded version on his album Tim Hardin 2 -- (1967).
Many good versions of this classic song but I consider Bobby Darin's the true signature version. Just too sincere, emotive and genuine. Hardin repaid Darin in kind a few years later when Tim had his only "hit" and it was written by Bobby Darin ("Simple Song of Freedom").
What a team these two men would have made. Listen to Tim's cover of Darin's song (Bobby Darin was an incredible singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist) and you can hear their magic and how they complemented one another.
Bobby Darin was the single biggest push to Tim Hardin's career since Darin had many hits with Hardin songs (including the original "Reason to Believe") and many were on Darin's "If I Were a Carpenter" album on Atlantic.
I wish they had performed together.
@Smartass_Jedi
1966: masterpiece
2024: masterpiece
RIP Bobby
@abradfordajb
Darin's version, to me, is the most evocative, powerful, soulful version of this tune. It is beautifully rendered in simplicity and musical form.
@alexgasiewski4970
Take a moment , thanks Bob.
@bethshields4903
Definitely. Best version I think .
@MrKeithwelsh
this song was way ahead of its time, speaks of real life, thanks bobby
@malcolmmacdonald2036
Just started watching the supramos…what a lovely song never heard it before
@BilltheButcher1855
The Sopranos played this in one of their episodes. So glad I found it
@alansbinnie1446
Bobby Darin was a chameleon. He could sing in so many different styles and voices. Vastly underrated.
@scotnick59
YES
@tomb4575
If he was born twenty years earlier Frank Sinatra would have had Mario Lanza's career.