"The mysterious troubadours that form Young Rebel Set preach full-blooded tales of tough love, hard luck and the triumph of romance against the odds.Every spit and sawdust jig is spun from the blood, sweat, tears, toil and glory of an extraordinary group and woven into a rousing patchwork of gritty urban folk."
NME
"Perfect antidote to cold, careerist indie"
The Fly
"huge, life-affirming songs that nod to Springsteen'n'Dylan"
The Guardian
"raw and honest and true... Watch out. Young Rebel Set are coming"
NME
"Imagine The Boss had he been 'Born In The Yorkshire Dales rather than the USA"
If I Was
Young Rebel Set Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take you across the ocean, ask you to marry me
Oh if I was sailor I would sail you home to me
And if I was a soldier I would march to war for you
I'd face every bullet and cannonball that flew
Oh if I was a soldier I would wage a war for you
Then I'd have the key to see you each and every day
Oh if I was a jailer I would still have you today
And if I was a rich man I'd buy you flowers every day
But I am a poor man so I'll pick them on the way
Oh if I was a rich man I would pay to make you to stay
I've wasted so much time
Writing songs and playing on my guitar
I've wasted so much love
Now I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
And if I had an aeroplane then I'd fly you away
Maybe we go to Rome or Paris for the day
Oh if I had an aeroplane then I'd whisk you away
And if I was a betting man I'd bet you love me too
I'd bet everything I had for the chance to be with you
Oh if I was a betting man my odds are 9-2
I've wasted so much time
Writing songs and playing on my guitar
I've wasted so much love
Now I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
Yeah I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
Oh I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
I've wasted so much time
Writing songs and playing on my guitar
I've wasted so much love
Oh I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
And if I was a writer I would write the book on you
I'd tell them all the stories of the things we used to do
Oh if I was a writer I would write the book on you
And if I was a painter I'd paint portraits of you
Hang them in the galleries like all good painter do
Oh if I was a painter I'd paint portraits of you
I've wasted so much time
Writing songs and playing on my guitar
I've wasted so much love
Now I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
Yeah I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
Oh I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
The lyrics of Young Rebel Set's "If I Was" paint a picture of a person who is deeply in love and willing to do anything for their significant other. The song plays with the idea of different scenarios and professions the person could be in, all centered around the theme of their love for their partner.
The first verse talks about the idea of being a sailor, and wanting to take their partner out to sea and propose to them. The second verse speaks of being a soldier and the willingness to go to war for their partner. The third verse talks about the idea of being a jailer, someone who would do anything, even locking up their partner, just to have them close.
The next verse explores the idea of what they would do if they were a rich man. They talk about buying their partner flowers every day and paying to make them stay, but due to their current financial situation, they will have to pick flowers on their way instead. The song continues with the singer wishing they had never learned to play a note and had not wasted so much time and love. They then explore the idea of being a writer and painter, imagining creating works of art centered around their love for their partner.
Overall, the song is a beautiful ode to love and highlights how far someone is willing to go for the person they love. It speaks to the many different ways love can manifest and the lengths people are willing to go to express it.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was a sailor I would sail you out to sea
I would take you out to sea and propose to you.
Take you across the ocean, ask you to marry me
I would propose to you after taking you on a romantic sail across the ocean.
Oh if I was sailor I would sail you home to me
I would bring you home with me after our romantic sail together.
And if I was a soldier I would march to war for you
I would fight for you, even if it meant putting my life in danger.
I'd face every bullet and cannonball that flew
I would risk my life in battle to protect and defend you.
Oh if I was a soldier I would wage a war for you
I would go to war for you and fight until we won.
And if I was a jailer I would lock you away
I would want to keep you to myself and protect you from the outside world.
Then I'd have the key to see you each and every day
I would have access to you and be able to spend time with you whenever I wanted.
Oh if I was a jailer I would still have you today
I would still be with you, even if I had to keep you locked away.
And if I was a rich man I'd buy you flowers every day
I would shower you with gifts and do everything in my power to make you happy.
But I am a poor man so I'll pick them on the way
Since I am not rich, I will still do what I can to make you happy.
Oh if I was a rich man I would pay to make you stay
I would use my wealth to ensure that you never have to leave my side.
I've wasted so much time
I regret how I have spent my time and wish I had done things differently.
Writing songs and playing on my guitar
These are some of the things that I regret doing too much of.
Now I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
I regret ever having learned to play music.
And if I had an aeroplane then I'd fly you away
I would take you on countless trips to see the world together.
Maybe we go to Rome or Paris for the day
We could go to these exotic places for a day trip or longer vacation.
Oh if I had an aeroplane then I'd whisk you away
I would want to take you to many faraway places and make memories together.
And if I was a betting man I'd bet you love me too
I am confident that you also have feelings for me.
I'd bet everything I had for the chance to be with you
I would risk everything for the chance to be with you.
Oh if I was a betting man my odds are 9-2
I feel like my chances with you are good, but not guaranteed.
And if I was a writer I would write the book on you
I would write a book about all of the wonderful and amazing qualities you possess.
I'd tell them all the stories of the things we used to do
I would share with the world all of the amazing experiences we had together.
Oh if I was a writer I would write the book on you
I would want the world to know all about how amazing you are.
And if I was a painter I'd paint portraits of you
I would create beautiful works of art based on your likeness.
Hang them in the galleries like all good painter do
I would want to display these paintings for the world to see and appreciate.
I've wasted so much love
I have mistakenly given my love to people and things that do not deserve it.
Oh I wish I'd never learnt to play a note
I regret how I have spent my time and wish I had done things differently.
Contributed by Parker J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Simon Amos
Proper tune
Cant take it away from them pure class
Daisy Lyons
this is my favourite song in the world! It reminds me of holidays in my caravan you are amazing and I had your album ages ago, I went to see you at the deer shed festival last year and you are just..... incredible
scrubbyfingerz 335
Still you're favorite
J BULLIONAIRE
Gutted to hear about Matt. He will be missed, as well his superb voice.
Viv Lee
I can't believe I've just heard ....RIP Matt... xx
chaosengine
one of the very best modern day songs. simple as that.
fruityinker
Amazing song, so simple but fantastic!
John Kelly
RIP. Thanks for the music and awesome lyrics ❤️
Hisoka MAGE
this is the best song I've ever heard!!!
Jasmin Fleischer
even in 2022!!! <3