In the late '60s and early '70s, Baez came into her songwriting own, penning many songs (most notably "Diamonds & Rust," a nostalgic piece about her ill-fated romance with Bob Dylan, and "Sweet Sir Galahad," a song about sister Mimi Fariรฑa's ( of Richard & Mimi Fariรฑa fame) second marriage, and continued to meld her songcraft with topical issues. She was outspoken in her disapproval of the Vietnam war and later the CIA-backed coups in many Latin American countries.
She was also instrumental in the Civil Rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King on many occassions and being jailed for her beliefs. In 1963, her performance of "We Shall Overcome" at the Lincoln Memorial just prior to Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream..." speech helped confirm the song as the Civil Rights anthem.
In December 1972, she traveled to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and was caught in that country's "Christmas Campaign," in which the U.S. bombed the city more times than any other during the entire war. While pregnant with her only son, Gabriel, she performed a handful of songs in the middle of the night on day one of the 1969 Woodstock festival. She is considered the "Queen of Folk" for being at the forefront of the 1960s folk revival and inspiring generations of female folksingers that followed. Over fifty years after she first began singing publicly in 1958, Joan Baez continues to tour, demonstrate in favor of human rights and nonviolence, and release albums for a world of devoted fans.
1959
If I Were A Carpenter
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you marry me anyway? would you have my baby?
If a tinker were your trade, would you still find me
Carrying the pots you made, following behind me?
See my love through loneliness
See my love for sorrow
I've given you my onliness
If you worked your hands in wood, would you still love me?
Answer me, yes I would, I'd put you above me
And if you were a miller, had a mill-wheel grinding
Would you see it written on my face? I'm here for the finding
See my love through loneliness
See my love for sorrow
I've given you my onliness
Come give me your tomorrow
If you were a carpenter and I were a lady
Would you marry me anyway? Would you have my baby?
Would you marry me anyway? Would you have my baby?
The song "If I Were a Carpenter" by Joan Baez is a love song that covers several hypothetical scenarios. The song is about two people who are in love with each other, and the first verse asks if the carpenter would still love the lady if he were not a carpenter. The lady also wonders if the carpenter would still love her even if his occupation and social class changed. The second verse expands on this theme, with the lady asking whether the carpenter would still love her if he had a different occupation, such as being a miller. The refrain brings the song back to the central theme of love and how the two protagonists are prepared to give each other anything.
The lyrics of the song are metaphorical, with the carpenter representing someone who works with his hands, and the lady representing someone who has a more refined background. The song reflects the social class struggles and the belief that love is not bound by social class.
Line by Line Meaning
If you were a carpenter and I were a lady
If you were skilled at woodworking and I were a woman
Would you marry me anyway? would you have my baby?
Would you still want to be with me and start a family even if I didn't fit the traditional expectations of gender roles?
If a tinker were your trade, would you still find me
If your profession was tinkering with household items, would you still be interested in me?
Carrying the pots you made, following behind me?
And would I be content to follow you, even if it meant carrying around the pots and pans you repaired for other people?
See my love through loneliness
Understand that my love for you is strong, even when I feel lonely.
See my love for sorrow
Recognize that my love for you is deep enough to also return love when it comes from you, even when I experience sorrow.
I've given you my onliness
I have already given you my full self.
Come give me your tomorrow
I am asking you to join me and give me the future together that I desire.
If you worked your hands in wood, would you still love me?
If woodworking was your passion, would you still have the same love and devotion for me?
Answer me, yes I would, I'd put you above me
Yes, I would love you no matter what and I would always prioritize your needs and desires above my own.
And if you were a miller, had a mill-wheel grinding
Even if you had a job as a mill operator, and it kept you busy, would you still pay attention to me?
Would you see it written on my face? I'm here for the finding
Would you see that I'm committed to our love and relationship, despite any obstacles or challenges that may arise?
Would you marry me anyway? Would you have my baby?
Once again, would you be willing to love and stay with me, even if it goes against society's norms, and would you still want to start a family with me?
Writer(s): James Timothy Hardin Copyright: Trio Music Company
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tawnima2262
If you were a carpenter, and I were a lady
Would you marry me anyway? would you have my baby?
If a tinker were your trade, would you still find me
Carrying the pots you made, following behind me?
See my love through loneliness
See my love for sorrow
I've given you my onlyness,
Come give me your tomorrow
If you worked your hands in wood, would you still love me?
Answer me, Yes I would, I'd put you above me"
And if you were a miller, had a mill-wheel grinding,
Would you see it written on my face? I'm here for the finding.
See my love through loneliness
See my love for sorrow
I've given you my onlyness,
Come give me your tomorrow
If you were a carpenter, and I were a lady
Would you marry me anyway? would you have my baby?
Would you marry me anyway? would you have my baby?
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@debbiedeal5937
I have loved her voice for decades......it is so pure yet so strong. I wish she was still recording!
@chizzlemang8630
My dad loved her voice so. He's passed recently and her early works have gotten me thru some rough nights. Sounds so different now I'm older. Amazing voice amazing woman. Thanks Joan.
@xsleex
chizzle mang ๐
@Dave070545
Generations will love Joanโs voice forever
@joelmaqueira4851
Praying for your father, you, and your family.
@0512007d
JB has a voice of an angel. She touches the depths of my soul. Thanks for posting this.
@JoachimderZweite
The voice comes from heaven.
@douggbloch
Amen
@philippeboudry8560
From paradise...
@polopopolo2197
Yes. Amen