If I Could
Carl Anderson Lyrics

If I could
The singer is expressing a wish or desire for something they cannot do.

I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes
The singer wants to shield the listener from their emotional pain.

Give you courage in a world of compromise
The singer wants to help the listener overcome life's challenges, especially when it comes to adhering to one's beliefs and values.

Yes, I would
The artist is reaffirming their desire to help the listener.

I would teach you all the things I never learned
The artist wishes to impart valuable knowledge and wisdom to the listener - things they never learned themselves.

And I'd help you cross the bridges that I burned
The singer wants to assist the listener in overcoming the obstacles they encountered in their own life.

If I could
The singer repeats their desire to help the listener, even if it may not be possible.

I would try to shield your innocence from time
The artist wants to protect the listener from the negative effects of growing up.

But the part of life I gave you isn't mine
The artist realizes that the listener has their own life to live and that it's not their responsibility to control it.

I watched you grow
The artist has seen the listener develop and mature.

So I could let you go
The singer accepts that the listener must live their own life, separate from the singer's own experiences and influence.

If I could
The artist once again expresses a desire to help the listener, even if it may not be possible.

I would help you make it through the hungry years
The singer wants to assist the listener during difficult times, such as those dealing with scarcity or lack of resources.

But I know that I can never cry your tears
The singer acknowledges that the listener's personal pain is something only they can experience and overcome.

But I would
The singer reiterates their willingness to help the listener in any way they can, even if it may not be possible.

If I live
The artist poses a hypothetical scenario where they are alive but in a less desirable time and place.

In a time and place
The artist is referring to a specific location and period in history.

Where you don't want to be
The singer acknowledges that the listener might not enjoy living in that location or time period.

You don't have to walk along this road with me
The singer gives the listener the option to not follow them if they don't want to.

My yesterday
The artist's past experiences and actions.

Won't have to be your way
The artist says that the listener doesn't have to follow in their footsteps and can choose their own path.

If I knew
The artist wishes they had knowledge or foresight that they didn't have previously.

I'd have tried to change the world I brought you to
The singer wants to make the world a better place for the listener by fixing the problems they perceive.

Through there wasn't very much that I could do
The artist recognizes that the problems they want to fix are difficult to change, if not impossible.

But I still would
The singer reiterates their willingness to help the listener and do what they can to improve the world.

Yes, I would
The singer repeats their desire to help the listener, no matter the obstacles in the way.

If I could
The singer's final statement in the song, a reminder of their desire to help the listener, even if it may not be possible.