If I Were A Carpenter
Johnny Cash Lyrics
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And you were a lady
Would you marry me anyway
Would you have my baby?
If you were a carpenter
And I were a lady
I'd marry you anywayI'd have your baby
If a tinker was my trade
Would I still find you
I'd be carrying the pots you made
Following behind you
Save your love through loneliness
Save your love through sorrow
I gave you my onlyness
Give me your tomorrow
If I were a miller
And a mill wheel grinding
Would you miss your colored blouse
And your soft shoes shining?
If you were a miller
And a mill wheel grinding
I'd not miss my colored blouse
And my soft shoes shining
Save your love through loneliness
Save your love through sorrow
I gave you my onlyness
Give me your tomorrow
If I worked my hands on wood
Would you still love me?
I'd answer you yes I would
And would you not be above me?
If I were a carpenter
And you were a lady
I'd marry you anyway
I'd have your baby
Save your love through loneliness
Save your love through sorrow
I gave you my onlyness
Give me your tomorrow
The song "If I Were a Carpenter" by Johnny Cash is about the strength and depth of true love. The song describes various professions, asking if love can sustain a relationship despite different occupations. The singer poses open-ended questions that contrast different trades, but the underlying message remains the same, which is love and devotion can override any differences.
The singer, through various professions, tries to convey that regardless of being a carpenter, tinker or miller, the love they have is real, and they are committed to a relationship. In the end, the song stresses the necessity of preserving true love through the toughest of times.
The song highlights the ultimate complexity of relationships and how love can stand the test of time. This song is a beautiful reminder that true love transcends all professions and social positions.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were a carpenter
If I had a job in carpentry
And you were a lady
And if you were a woman
Would you marry me anyway
Would you still agree to marry me despite our differences in profession and social status?
Would you have my baby?
Would you be willing to start a family with me?
If a tinker was my trade
If I worked as a tinker (repairing household utensils)
Would I still find you
Would I still be able to be with you
I'd be carrying the pots you made
I'd be carrying the household items you made
Following behind you
Following you wherever you go
Save your love through loneliness
Keep holding onto our love, even through times of loneliness
Save your love through sorrow
Continue to save our love and keep it strong through times of sadness
I gave you my onlyness
I gave you everything I had, my love, my devotion, and all that I possessed
Give me your tomorrow
Promise me that you will be with me tomorrow and every day after that
If I were a miller
If I had a job of grinding grain into flour
And a mill wheel grinding
If the mill wheel was turning
Would you miss your colored blouse
Would you still be concerned about your clothes
And your soft shoes shining?
And whether or not they were clean and polished?
If I worked my hands on wood
If I worked as a carpenter
Would you still love me?
Would your love for me remain the same?
I'd answer you yes I would
I'd say 'yes', my love for you would never change
And would you not be above me?
And would you not consider yourself superior to me because of our different professions?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY VERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Petrus-r6k
My world is still grinding, I am 75 old I hope for a chance. Married 50 years
@LizzyDripping
Carpenter? Like Joseph The Worker 🍀
@robertyoung6278
Yo I'm a 52 yr black man ,back in the 1970s I had a white friend named Ray ,his mom was a huge Johnny Cash and June fan ,that's all she played when I'd visit .Now mind u color really didn't matter back then .However ,I say that to say that no matter what your color u had to love this man and his music cuz of what he stood for ,he is up there with Marley ,Ray ,M.J and prince one of the greatest ever .
@jerrygarcia4390
All 💯 true ❤
@walkerpeterson1149
Thousands of times agree, doesn't matter what color we are .I have a black sister and a Mexican daughter,stay up my friend,spread Love
@Kkalani808
@@walkerpeterson1149 c BBC
@ohgodwhy9853
As a young man i look to Johnny Cash as the everyman's musician, in someway somehow he can appeal to practically anybody but represents an incredibly genuine and "real" sort of celebrity.
I will stay a fan for the rest of my life.
@alexeykutovenko8323
When anyone starts to devide people by color, religion, eyes, etc... - it is a disease... Great to read your adequate words at this crazy time, my dear.
@moceandesigns
"I gave you my onlyness, give me your tomorrow." I like that.
@matthewgliatto7339
Interesting: that's the one line in the song that I don't like, because "onlyness" isn't a real word, and I don't know what he meant by it, and so the line just doesn't make sense. But I still love the song, though!