If I Were A Carpenter
Love's Measure in Wood: If I Were A Carpenter
Lyrics
If I were a carpenter and you were a lady
If the speaker were a carpenter and the listener a lady, posing a hypothetical scenario.
Would you marry me anyway, would you have my baby ?
Asking if the lady would still marry the speaker and have his baby despite the hypothetical situation.
If a tinker were my trade, would you still find me
Imagining a different trade (tinker) for the speaker and questioning if the lady would still be interested.
Carrying the pots I made following behind me ?
Asking if the lady would follow and support the speaker even in a different profession (carrying pots).
Save my love through loneliness, save my love through sorrow.
Expressing the hope that love will endure through loneliness and sorrow.
I've given you my onliness, give me your tomorrow.
Offering the speaker's own loneliness in exchange for the promise of a shared future (your tomorrow).
If I worked my hands in wood, would you still love me ?
Pondering if the lady would still love the speaker if he worked with his hands in wood.
Answer me, baby, yes, I would, I'd put you above me.
Seeking an affirmative response, with the speaker willing to prioritize the lady above himself.
If I were a miller, at a mill wheel grinding
Exploring another hypothetical scenario where the speaker is a miller, wondering if the lady would miss material possessions.
Would you miss your coloured box and those soft shoes shining ?
Highlighting the potential sacrifice of material comforts for the lady's love.
Save my love through loneliness, save my love through sorrow.
Reiterating the theme of enduring love through loneliness and sorrow.
I've given you my onliness, give me your tomorrow.
Emphasizing the speaker's commitment by offering their onliness in exchange for the lady's tomorrow.
If I were a carpenter and you were a lady
Repeating the initial scenario, reinforcing the central question of whether the lady would marry the carpenter.
Would you marry me anyway, would you have my baby?
Reiterating the question of marriage and having a baby, seeking a positive response.
Save my love through loneliness, save my love through sorrow.
Continuing the plea for enduring love and commitment through difficult times.
I've given you my onliness, give me your tomorrow.
Restating the speaker's willingness to give their onliness in exchange for the promise of the lady's tomorrow.
Save my love through loneliness, save my love through sorrow.
Repeating the plea for saving love through loneliness and sorrow.
I've given you my onliness, give me your tomorrow.
Reiterating the speaker's offer of onliness, emphasizing the importance of the lady's tomorrow.
Give me your tomorrow.
Concluding with a direct request for the lady to give her tomorrow to the speaker.
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