Carl Smith (March 15, 1927 – January 16, 2010) was a country music singer a… Read Full Bio ↴Carl Smith (March 15, 1927 – January 16, 2010) was a country music singer and guitarist. Known as "Mister Country", Smith was the former husband of June Carter Cash and drinking buddy of Johnny Cash. Carl and June are the parents of singer Carlene Carter. After his divorce from June, he married country singer Goldie Hill.

He retired from performing in 1979. He had many famous hits including, "Kisses Don't Lie", "Are You Teasing Me", "Hey Joe", and many others.

In 2003, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is probably best known for the recording of "Times A-Wastin'" with June Carter.

If Teardrops Were Pennies
Carl Smith Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
I'd have all the treasures my pockets would hold
I'd be oh so wealthy with treasures untold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold

An acre of diamonds I'd offer to you
A solid gold mansion, an airplane or two
This whole world would be yours to have and to hold

If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold

The tears that have fallen won't buy you a thing
The heartaches you've caused me won't pay for a ring
The love that I wanted would not have grown cold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold

If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
I'd have all the treasures my pockets would hold

I'd be oh so wealthy with treasures untold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are a classic example of a country song, using the familiar themes of wealth, love, and loss. Essentially, the singer is saying that if he could somehow trade his tears and heartaches for money and riches, he would be able to offer his love an endless supply of gifts and luxury. He imagines how he could give her everything she could ever dream of, including diamonds, mansions, and airplanes, if only his pain and sadness could be transformed into material wealth. He acknowledges that his tears and heartaches are useless as currency and will never be able to buy back the love that he has lost.

At its core, this song is a wistful and melancholic reflection on the limitations of love and the futility of trying to make up for it with material possessions. The singer is expressing his yearning for a different reality, where he is able to provide his beloved with everything she deserves and desires. However, he is also acknowledging that this is an impossible dream, as the things that really matter cannot be bought with money.

Overall, "If Teardrops Were Pennies" is a timeless country classic that continues to resonate with listeners today. It speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and loss, while also shining a light on the deeper meaning and value of love.

Line by Line Meaning

If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
If my sadness and pain could somehow be turned into riches

I'd have all the treasures my pockets would hold
I would be extremely wealthy

I'd be oh so wealthy with treasures untold
My riches would be immeasurable

An acre of diamonds I'd offer to you
I would give you the most valuable things I could

A solid gold mansion, an airplane or two
I would give you extravagant gifts

This whole world would be yours to have and to hold
I would give you everything you could possibly want

The tears that have fallen won't buy you a thing
Crying does not bring material wealth

The heartaches you've caused me won't pay for a ring
Even the pain you have caused me does not bring compensation

The love that I wanted would not have grown cold
I would prefer to have love instead of wealth

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CARL BUTLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@sheribary1968

11y↑21

I love Carl Smith's music and this is a real country music. I love the very old classic country music so much.

@larryswift5203

2y↑1

You got it.

@glipzik

15y↑7

The first version of this song and still the best. Carl Smith could really sing back then.

@chaplin829

14y↑4

Carl Smith's music was straight from the heart & real & has & will stand the test of time.He deserves to be honered & remembered & his music enjoyed.What they pass off as country & music now will be tomorrow's trash.

@wonsyram1

11y↑5

Love Carl It has been over 60 years and I still love his music. So real

@harrylysinger628

5y↑4

One of the best, much overlooked. I listened to him in my youth back in the 50's.

@TranslateToEnglish

5y↑15

Bring back the good old days with Carl Smith, Kitty Wells and Hank Snow.

@oscarhedden8828

No Kitty please

@lvf91265

10y↑27

one the the most overlooked voices in country....one of the best in my book,they don't make m like that any more!

@kennydobbins1345

7y↑2

There are still a few traditional style artists.

@palmborotn

17w

This is the way Country Music was designed. Carl sings his songs with feeling, and talent untold. He is one of the best, from the old days. I enjoy anything he sings. What a handsome, charismatic singer.

@viv062540

15y↑3

He is a great singer and this is a great song. He never got the recognition he should have gotten. You sure can't hear singers and music like this in the country music today.

@The50Fordman

5y↑6

The best version of this song.

@scallewag1

9y↑7

one of the best classics

@The50Fordman

6y↑3

This is real country music from a real country singer. They don't make them like they used to.

@Kristenm28

30w

Takes me back to riding around with my grandparents in the car. ❤

@marythompson5458

1y↑1

Carl Smith Is One Of The Great Country Singer Rip

@jtls8

15y↑21

Afraid this kind of country is gone forever except for people like you who takes the time to share them for people like me. Thank you*****S

@AbyssWrld431

6y↑1

jtls8 hank three has a son hes 16 hes fixin to make music soon

@larryswift5203

Bless you.

@larryswift5203

It's mental illness.

@ADrunkBassist

@Dixie_defender that's cool. I love punk rock, it seems that's one of Hank III's influences. Can't really say I didn't expect that, though. It seems so wild finding out he's 11 years older than I am.

@jimmymac30

14y↑2

Rest in Peace Carl.

@tricker1957

14y↑2

Singing with the angels now,rest in peace Carl.

@donhager7452

6y↑2

Love Carl Smith Great Music.

@ruthboykin9873

46w

Love love this by him!

@melvinwalsh346

10y↑2

yes Carl was the greatest ever singing in heaven now hope to hear him again loved him have all his albums listen to him never get tired of his great singing GOD bless him

@nancyguadarramamarquez150

21w

Me encanta escuchar esta musica. Saludos desde mexico

@eugenehorner3722

6y↑2

Brings back a lot of memories.

@lionjwd

9y↑17

This song was actually written by Arthur Q. Smith who wrote this and hundreds of other songs for a few dollars so that he could get something to drink

He did keep good records and his wife was able to collect royalty checks

Arthur Q. Smith deserves to be in Songwriters Hall of Fame

@chiefblueox4952

9y↑2

+Wesley Doughman Very Interesting. How would you be to know such things?

@lionjwd

9y↑2

+Chief Blue OX I made several comments that I thought were not showing, but here is my source for my comment.
http://swansonwill.tripod.com/Knoxville.htm

@AbyssWrld431

6y↑1

Wesley Doughman to bad he couldn't sing. He would be a legend

@miltonmoore5294

6y↑2

@Wesley Doughman
Thanks for the lead.
Songwriters got screwed more than
all other artists put
together!

@The50Fordman

4y↑1

I can remember stopping in little road houses and listening to this music. I sure do miss it.

@susanpatton7496

9y↑9

one of my many songs love this

@GaryVuorela

9y↑6

Great Classic song,well done by Carl Smith,peace GARYV.

@marybrown4670

8y↑5

WHAT A GREAT VOICE

@tonymarek275

This song is amazing!!

@tonymarek275

Do you like His songs?

@jtls8

14y↑3

R.I.P. Carl!

@seansweeney7009

I have always know this song, but it's only now that I can put a name to the singer. Love it. 👍🍀

@pro3tlb

15y

The unmistakable style of Little Roy Wiggins on steel in the background. What a combination; Carl and Little Roy.

@glipzik

14y↑3

I was about 10 years old when I first heard Carl Smith. I knew Hank Williams and Eddy Arnold but Carl really made an impression on me(maybe because he was new) and quickly became my favorite singer. I wrote a letter to the CMA early in 2003 extolling Carl's merits and he was inducted that year. Was that good timing or what?

@alley9247

I also grew up with these classics, my dad had his own band back in the days, even went to Nashville and made his own record. His best friend was Johnny horton by dad played with marty Robbins, Jim reeves, Jim ed brown and even Mickey gilley. Those were the good ole days I remember with my dad!

@aloisemason3044

If ever a legend in country music your looking at one! This is as old..but..the best today in 2020..magnificient ..don't heart this kind of music and song no more..RIP

@larryswift5203

2y↑1

Also done by beautifully ladies.

@edwardleavitt7898

3y↑1

He should be up there with Hank Williams that's how good he is

@anthonybelcher8569

Fabulous singer great song 66

@candw87

15y↑3

There aren't any of the Newbies of today who can hold a candle to the Oldies sadly there aren't many of them left now

@AbyssWrld431

candd87 we have hank 3

@webbjr37

12y↑8

One of the best Carl Smith songs of all times used to sing this one while walking behind the old mule & plow,And later riding the tractor, This along with many others By Carl Marty Webb Faron Slim Skeets, And an ocasional Lefty & Hank W & S

@justinrodgers3257

can't forget the wagomaster

@chadhamann8315

@Justin Rodgers wagonmasters Rollin!!

@1uptospeed

14y↑1

this song is worth so much more than PENNNIES thanks for the real thing**true country always 1uptospeed

@dwilli48

15y↑1

Carl survived his second wife Goldie Hill, another great country songstress. She, however, gave up her career to raise their children. Carl, who was once married to June Carter, is the father of Carlene Carter.

@zuzuspetals51

11y↑5

Love me some Carl..

@tonymarek275

Do you like His songs?

@tonylupo1764

10y↑4

Ok , lets get real ,Carl Smith is in the Country Music Hall of Fame, hardly overlooked. A great country singer. On the other hand the real overlooked country stars from the 50's era are Helen Carter, June Carter and the most beautiful voice that ever graced our fair country, Anita Carter...now those girls are overlooked. Just check out Anita Carter on You Tube you will hear what I'm saying.. Johnny Cash introduces her as the greatest voice in country music today on one of her appearances on the JC show , yea Dolly and Loretta and Emmy Lou were singing at the time.

@marybrown4670

+Tony Lupo THEY WERE GREAT SINGERS BUT NOT A CLASSIC SOUND LIKE CARL SMITH, HANK SR., MARTY ROBBINS--YOU GET WHAT I MEAN

@TonySkyRush

+Mary Brown The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle were Pioneers; in radio and live performing and recording. They played their own instruments and were the most popular band in the 40's and 50's playing on 5 different radio stations before the Grand Ole Opry wooed them in 1950 as the youngest girls and the first all female band to join the Grand Ole Opry. They were top stars at the opry for years. Look I Love all the stars that you mention and they deserve to be honored but you're comparing apples and oranges.. The CMHOF doesn't have one all female band represented.; They absolutely had a number of classic sounds. Mother Maybelle , Helen and Anita were a famous Trio and sang some of the most beautiful trio songs and hymns that I have ever heard and were requested quite often. .They were great singers as you say but they were also great entertainers and musicians in their own right. Check out ;Foggy Mountain Top" from 1952 where each girl sings a verse with Anita anchoring the song on the last verse. That is absolutely a signature classic sound that will never be duplicated. They literally have a library of recorded music as a band and as solo artists. Just fantastic stuff. Anita has a 7 cd set aptly named ;The Appalachian Angel I can't begin to tell their whole life story but their life story in entertainment is unique and amazing and should be told at the CMHOF for all little girls everywhere to learn about them. 60+ years of entertainment. check my You Tube videos for some great radio shows from 1949. Click on my name and click on my videos.; Tony Lupo PS: Would the CMHOF be a better place with "The Girls" or without them. I know in my heart the answer. I hope the CMA will see the light someday..

@Mr434robert

13y↑1

I have been a fan of Carl for years , I met him at the little Opry Just out side of where lived in Hudson QC, great person, was so sorry to hear he had died, I go to Franklin almost every year I should try and get to his grave and pay my respects

@IAmTheUnknownPunk

14y↑1

not a big fan of country. grew up listening to it, and obviously (from my user name) rebelled. but i really dig this guy.

@audreyjenkins5725

At 13 or 14 me and my brothers sister in law was walking across park to get. Away from crowd we saw someone at a distant following us never thought anything about it until Carl ask if he could set with us until next time he had to sing we shericaded that meeting with him.

@MarieMandolin

10y↑4

Did enjoy very much... thanks for sharing and subbing

@lionjwd

9y↑4

KNOXVILLE'S GREAT LOST SONGWRITER, ARTHUR Q. SMITH
Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN)
May 12, 1991
Author: WAYNE BLEDSOE

The life's work of a lost man lay on a table in the back of the Glenwood Sandwich Shop: pages of music, boxes of lyrics handwritten in pencil or with a fountain pen on sheets of notebook paper.

Some of the titles of the songs are familiar - "I Overlooked an Orchid, While Looking for a Rose," "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could," "Rainbow at Midnight" and "If Teardrops Were Pennies." Others, like "The Man in the Moon Cried Last Night," "My Imagination" and "I've Been Keeping Score," are not.!

@BillyGarland

6y↑1

Hank Garland on Guitar !

@tahitislim25

Wow! that's country - no bulls**t !!!

@melvinwalsh3567

8y↑1

YES CARL WAS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME TOLD WSVS RADIO STATION IN CREW VA IF I COULD SING LIKE CARL SMITH OR HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS I WOULD BE SINGING YOU COULD KEEP THE MILLION

@esmemohabir6891

8y↑1

Beautiful song love it thanks .

@kennydobbins1345

I love Carl too, but in my opinion Johnny Cash is the best.

@bendavidson3198

5y↑1

Would love to know who the guitar players are ?

@douglasstone9212

10y

NOT BAD.

@Verzyvers

we would all be rich 2020

@cw5312

5y↑1

Brother, pour another.

@LindaLuigi

11y↑2

Me, too

@twothunders2632

12y

if it was lame, why is it so famous bud?

@davidcounts182

this is good Nashville is crap.

@TheAlbert1956

12y↑1

theking

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