If I Were a Carpenter
Love's Craft: If Dreams Were Carpentry
Lyrics
If I were a carpenter
If I had a different profession as a carpenter
And you were a lady
Addressing a woman, suggesting a romantic relationship
Would you marry me anyway?
Asking if she would still marry despite differences
Would you have my baby?
Asking if she would bear his child
If a tinker were my trade
Considering an alternative occupation as a tinker (repairer)
Would you still find me
Checking if she would still love him in a different role
Carryin' the pots I made
Carrying the products he made, asking if she'd support him
Followin' behind me?
Asking if she'd follow and stand by him
Save my love through loneliness
Expressing a commitment to saving love through difficult times
Save my love for sorrow
Stating a dedication to preserving love despite sorrow
I'm given you my oneliness
Play on words ("oneliness") emphasizing loneliness
Come give your tomorrow
Inviting her to contribute to their shared future
If I were a miller
Imagining being a miller, another profession
At a mill wheel grinding
Describing a miller's work, questioning if she'd miss him
Would you miss your color box
Asking if she'd miss the materialistic aspects of life
And your soft shoe shining?
Asking if she'd miss the entertaining aspects of life
If I worked my hands in wood
Considering working with wood, seeking assurance of love
Would you still love me?
Asking if she'd still love him if he worked with wood
Answer me babe, yes I would
Directly seeking affirmation of love from her
I'll put you above me
Putting her happiness above his own
If I were a carpenter
Repeating the carpenter scenario, reinforcing the theme
And you were a lady
Reiterating the question about marriage and commitment
Would you marry me anyway?
Asking if she'd still marry him despite different roles
Would you have my baby?
Repeating the question about having a child together
Would you marry anyway?
Emphasizing the marriage question
Would you have my baby?
Repeating the question about having a child together
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